Daily Red Sox Links - Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Lavarnway, and Johnny Damon

The recent contract extensions for second basemen Ian Kinsler and Brandon Phillips have put the spotlight on other such players, like Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Fortunately for the Red Sox Pedroia signed a long term deal that will carry him through the 2015 season. Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal looks at Pedroia's deal and how it will impact any future payday he receives. Second basemen don't tend to age very well, possibly because of the beating they tend to take, diving all the time and dealing with collisions at second base between themselves and on-coming base runners. The Platoon Advantage's The Common Man looks at the deals signed by Kinsler and Phillips and analyzes them against a history of age appropriate second baseman.

Old friend Johnny Damon has finally found a new home. Me-oh, oh-my-oh, it's Cleveland, Ohio. Count on hearing a flowery (for Damon) speech on how he always wanted to play for the Indians since whogivesarats... (Craig Calcaterra; Hardball Talk)

Unfortunately the Red Sox farm system has started off the year in a similar fashion to the big league team. (Alex Speier; WEEI.com)

The Baseball Prospectus Lineup Card is a weekly feature where different writers answer a question. This week's question was who would you do? 'To whom would you give a contract extension?' I argued for Ryan Lavarnway. It was admittedly a reach (as I said in the comments) but I think it's an interesting idea. (BP Staff; Baseball Prospectus)

Luke Scott's powers of perception are unparalleled in the modern era. How do I know? He says Fenway Park is old. And if you think about it, it's totally true. It's obvious if you just listen, man. LISTEN. (Dayn Perry; CBS Eye on Baseball)

If you're looking for a succinct, to the point, in yer face synopsis of Wednesday's Red Sox loss, look no further. (Red; Surviving Grady)

If you're ever really down on the Red Sox organization, just remember, things could always be worse. The Red Sox could be the San Francisco Giants. (Grant Brisbee; Baseball Nation)