FALL 2015
PAGE 9
Dillon Stephan‘ 17 Contributor
Sports Opinion: It Is Time for the Patriots to Trade Tom Brady? Forty is not a good number for quarterbacks
What I’ m about to say may make some people lose their minds, but I believe the Patriots should trade Tom Brady and make Jimmy Garoppolo the franchise quarterback. I know this sounds insane. I even questioned myself when I thought about it because Brady is arguably the best quarterback of all time. But the more I thought, the more it made sense. Garoppolo is 24 and Brady is 39, and when quarterbacks hit 40, they absolutely fall off a cliff when it comes to performance.
In less than two games Garoppolo led the Patriots to four touchdowns and 496 yards with a 117.1 passer rating. He had no interceptions and only one fumble lost. Garoppolo led the Pats to a 2-0 record while emerging as a team leader. If he was not injured, I believe the Patriots would have been 4-0 leading up to Brady’ s return.
At 39, Brady shows no signs of decline, but that could also be said of two other recently retired superstar quarterbacks. Brett Favre and Peyton Manning are considered to be among the best quarterbacks of all time, but both became shells of themselves once they turned 40.
At 39, Favre and Manning had MVP caliber seasons. Favre had 33 touchdowns with seven interceptions and 4,200 yards with a 107.2 passer rating while leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 12-4 record. Manning had 39 touchdowns with 15 interceptions and 4,727 yards with a 101.5 passer rating while leading the Denver Broncos to a 12-4 record. But the next year, Favre only played 13 games, with 2,500 yards, 11 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and a 69.9 passer rating, the lowest in his 20-year career. Manning only played 10 games with 2,200 yards, nine touchdowns, 17 interceptions and a 67.9 passer rating, the lowest in his 18-year career.
The Patriots need to trade Brady and think about the future. If they trade him now, they could easily obtain a first round draft pick, which could result in a starting player. Belichick could mold Garoppolo into the next Brady, and the new face of the NFL. Garoppolo’ s contract is up in 2018. The Patriots need to commit to him so he doesn’ t leave town as a free agent.
Brady says he wants to play for as long as he can. He even follows a specialized training and diet regimen designed to extend his playing time, but will it work? And, for how long?
I could be completely wrong. Brady might play at an elite level for the next five years, but no one knows for sure. I would rather be safe than sorry. Brady has been amazing for the Patriots. I know it would be harsh and even mean to let him go, but for the betterment of the franchise, they should trade Brady now, get a good return, then build the team around Garoppolo, a new superstar quarterback who might be the greatest of all time and who could be in the league for the next 15-20 years, helping the Patriots continue their long string of success.
Tom Brady( Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons Sharealike)
“ When quarterbacks hit 40, they absolutely fall off a cliff.”
Dillon Stephan‘ 17
Abington’ s Mike Hazen is off to Arizona Takes Over as Diamondback’ s GM after 10 years with the Red Sox
Scott Neville‘ 17 Contributor
Abington High School Alum(’ 94) Mike Hazen has parted ways with his hometown Boston Red Sox after 10 years with the organization. Hazen is headed to Arizona to rebuild the Diamondbacks after not being satisfied as Dave Dombrowski’ s second in command. He has a large challenge ahead of him as the Diamondbacks ended 2016 with a 69 – 93 record. They finished fourth in the National League West Division, only ahead of the San Diego Padres. Hazen will not have a ton to work as the Diamondbacks have the 26 th lowest team payroll in the league. Fortunately, they only have two players on the 25-man roster that will be entering free agency, and neither of them are worth retaining. The Diamondbacks will lose relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, who had a 5.22 ERA in 60.1 innings, and Rickie Weeks, an outfielder who owned a. 239 batting average in only 180 at-bats. The two sub-par players will free up $ 4.2 million in 2017. The Diamondbacks primary concern should be pitching. Arizona had a team ERA of 5.09 in 2016, which was the worst team
ERA in baseball. They also allowed the most earned runs( 821), runs( 890), and had the highest WHIP( 1.49). The Diamondbacks looked as though they would have a solid pitching rotation as they acquired two 2015 All-Stars last off-season. They signed Zack Greinke and traded for Shelby Miller. Greinke went from a Cy Young candidate a year ago, to a mediocre pitcher this season. He had an underwhelming 4.37 ERA to go along with a 13-7 record in a failed attempt to be the Diamondbacks ace. While Greinke struggled, Miller’ s season was a disaster. The Diamondbacks gave up the number one pick in the 2015 draft, Dansby Swanson as well as top pitching prospect Aaron Blair and productive outfielder Ender Inciarte to acquire Shelby Miller last off-season. Miller posted a 6.15 ERA with a 3-12 record this season. Despite their disappointing seasons, Hazen should not focus on these players as they have a track record of success. Even if Hazen had an issue, Miller is not worth the value the team gave up last off-season and Greinke’ s contract is too large to move. Hazen’ s priority should be to get production from the bottom of the rotation. Rich Hill is easily the best option in a weak free agent class of starting pitchers. Hill dominated with a 2.12 ERA and 12-5 record. He struck out 129 batters in only 110.1 innings this season. The Diamondbacks should get quite a discount considering his effectiveness. The reason is that he is a 36-year-old pitcher who has battled injuries his whole career. When healthy, Hill has proven to be an elite pitcher, and he could give a boost to a team who embarrassed themselves on the mound this year. Mat Latos is another player who should come at a discount but could provide a high upside. Latos was a great middle of the rotation option from 2010-2014. He has had back to back seasons of not living up to his potential, but is worth the risk for a team that needs a spark. The Diamondbacks will also need relief pitchers to close out games next season. Hazen needs to completely revamp their entire bullpen. The only effective reliever in 2016 for Arizona was free agent to be Brad Ziegler, who was traded to Boston at the deadline for a couple of minor leaguers. Hazen should re-sign the 37-year-old veteran, as he should be a cheap option for a closer or set-up man of his caliber. Sergio Romo is another free agent who could be an effective weapon for a good price. Ziegler had a 2.25 ERA and currently owns the
New Arizona Diamondback General Manager Mike Hazen with Charlotte Clark and Derreck Gately at the 2016 Senior Awards.( GWG)
Diamondbacks record for consecutive save with 40. Romo had a 2.64 ERA in his age 33 season but only pitched 30.2 innings due to Bruce Bochy’ s unorthodox bullpen use. Hazen needs to be aggressive in free agency to acquire starting and relief pitchers if he wants a competitive team in 2017.
As we went to press, Hazen completed his first deal on November 23, acquiring righthander Taijuan Walker and infielder Ketel Marte from the Mariners in exchange for infielder Jean Segura, outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-handed reliever Zac Curtis.