It’s been tough watching Boston’s sports teams (aside from the Patriots) slowly fading away from the successes they enjoyed during the 2001-2010 decade, one during which the city became known to many as “Title Town.” And while Patriots fans are rejoicing following the signing on cornerback Aqib Talib – he very well could be the difference maker this time ’round- I can’t help myself in being more excited about the resigning of David Ortiz. The man is finally getting his due from the Red Sox.

Many have been critical of Ortiz’s public statements about his displeasure with the Red Sox front office – given his leadership role on the team, they see it as being inappropriate. I have always vehemently disagreed with this sentiment, although I understand it. Few players on any team, ever, have meant to their organization what Ortiz has meant to the Red Sox. In his 10 seasons in Boston, Ortiz has been an All-Star 9 times. He’s won the Silver Slugger at his position 5 times, and has come in the top 5 in MVP voting 5 times as well. Not to mention the fact that he almost single-handedly delivered the Red Sox their first World Series title in 86 years – that’s right, without David Ortiz the Red Sox are still the Cubs.

Given his production, the fact that Ortiz is viewed as an all-around good guy, and the fact that he is revered by teammates, the Red Sox front office’s treatment of him was inexcusable. If ever a player was to be given a “respect” contract based on his past contributions to the club, Ortiz would have been the perfect candidate. But given that his production hasn’t slowed one bit, Ortiz was owed a multi-year deal. Thank God he finally got it. You want to talk about “culture” issues with the Red Sox? It starts in the front office. Ortiz wasn’t making absurd demands, and it’s a telling sign that the Red Sox are finally showing him the appreciation he deserves.

Ortiz’s 2012 campaign was shortened to 90 games due to injury, but he still managed to put up numbers that would be a solid 162 game season for most of the league – a .318 average, 23 home runs, 60 RBI, 26 doubles, and a .415 OBP. But his own offensive contributions aside, Ortiz is the perfect fit for the rebuilding Red Sox. Will Middlebrooks recently said to ESPN, “He (Ortiz) always said if you’ve got any questions, call me. Any questions in the offseason — non-baseball-related, baseball-related – call me. It’s awesome. That’s why he’s loved like he is, he’s an open book to everyone. He’s been a huge help to me.” If the next generation of Red Sox hitters is learning from Ortiz, the future is bright.

Finally, there are the actual terms of Ortiz’s deal. He’ll be paid $26 million over 2 years, with incentives that can push his total pay to $30 million. Frankly, $13 million is a steal for Ortiz – and dangling a $4 million carrot in front of him for performance is a wise move as well. I would have been heartbroken if Ortiz had gone elsewhere, and I wouldn’t have blamed him given how he has been treated by the front office. I’m happy to say this worked out as well as it could have – I like your style, Ben Cherington.

I was recently playing golf with an old school Red Sox fan in suburban Boston. “The Sawx are a mess, that’s for sure,” the old-timer muttered. “But I don’t think Bobby Valentine is the problem, he really knows baseball.”

I swallow hard in reaction, unable to formulate words. My hands begin to quiver, and I yip a 3-footer dead left for bogey. I just don’t get it – I really don’t. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard “Bobby Valentine knows baseball” I could afford to pay Adrian Gonzalez’s contract next season.

When I look at Bobby Valentine, I see a guy who has gotten as little as he possibly could out of the 2012 Red Sox. Want to know about someone who knows baseball? He may run his mouth, but look at the Orioles’ Buck Showalter. While the Red Sox have had a hugely positive run differential all year, their recently slide has dipped them to a run differential of 8 runs fewer than their opponents so far this season. The Orioles have had a negative run differential all season – they’re currently at -19, even worse than the Red Sox – yet they’re 14 games ahead of Boston. That’s what you call managing your team – getting the most out of what you’re given. The Orioles are currently tied with the Yankees atop the AL East despite having a payroll less than have the size of Brian Cashman’s.

This is certainly maddening, and while Valentine will finish the season as the skipper of the Sox, I have serious doubts about whether or not he’ll return for next season. With the terrible possibility that he does looming, here are a few players who should at least fit in well with Valentine’s scheme in 2013.

1) Cody Ross – Cody Ross is one of few Red Sox who has made a convincing case for making resigning him an off-season priority. Ross is coming off the most productive season of his career, despite playing in only 2/3 of the Red Sox games. He’s made it clear he thrives in the confines of Fenway and has provided several of this season’s relatively few highlights.

2) Franklin Morales – Franklin Morales is still young (26), and unlike Daniel Bard he showed this season that he’s capable of handling the additional responsibility of moving from the bullpen to a starting role. He maintained a lowish ERA of 3.77 throughout the season, and you better believe that Valentine’s trust in him will not be lost on Morales heading into 2013.

3) Will Middlebrooks – Similarly to Morales, Valentine’s trust in Will Middlebrooks will likely not be forgotten. Middlebrooks played his way onto the team, thus allowing Valentine to move the issue that Kevin Youkilis was becoming. There’s good karma flowing both ways here, and with Middlebrooks growing up in Texas, I’m sure he’s gotten used to playing for managers who aren’t exactly cut out of the Terry Francona mold.

4) Andrew Miller – After a tough end to the 2011 season under Terry Francona, Andrew Miller seemed to find his role in the bullpen under Bobby Valentine’s tutelage. Like Morales he’s young (27) and lefty, making him valuable to Valentine. He managed to maintain a 3.53 ERA for the season.

5) David Ortiz – I don’t think David Ortiz loves Bobby Valentine, but I think he showed this year he’s willing to play for him and assume a prominent leadership role on this team. His real issue is with the front office, as I believe it should be. Ortiz showed that despite whatever his dynamic with Valentine might be, he can perform on the field. He was on a torrid pace from the get-go this season before being derailed by injury.

My preference is absolutely for Bobby Valentine to be shown the door immediately following the season, but if he’s not, it’s nice to know that there are some players who’ve shown they can play in his system.

Will Middlebrooks, simply put, has been the biggest surprise for the Boston Red Sox this year. Many in the Red Sox front office actually aren’t surprised at all, but few expected Middlebrooks to be this good. But what goes up must come down, right? Maybe. But I think there’s 5 solid reasons to believe that Middlebrooks won’t succumb to a second-half slump.

1) His performance thus far – Middlebrooks, in Tom Brady-esque fashion, finally got his opportunity in the bigs when Kevin Youkilis hit the disabled list. He came in and excelled to the point that Youkilis was traded, claiming third base as his position in the process. With the competition for spots in the Red Sox organization and the pressure cooker that is the spotlight in Boston, very few rookies come up and immediately have an impact for any sort of extended period of time. We saw it with Josh Reddick last season, and he’s on track for a 40 home run campaign this season in Oakland. Not only has Middlebrooks’ performance been better than Reddick’s, but the sample size has been more than sufficient to rule out any “flukiness.” In 48 games this season, Middlebrooks has 51 hits, 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .298 batting average. That’s seizing your opportunities.

2) Scouting report – As I mentioned, Middlebrooks’ performance isn’t all that much of a surprise to many. He was rated as the Red Sox #1 prospect entering 2012. He’s 6’4 and 225 pounds, with a scouting report claiming home run power to every field. As a former pitcher he’s got a gun of an arm, with the ability to throw well over 90mph and he’s light on his feet defensively. In other words, the scouts see this guy as a stud in the making.

3) He’s developed in the minors – After being drafted by the Red Sox at 19 years old in 2007, Middlebrooks was admittedly way behind his teammates with regards to his development as a baseball player. Why? Because he was an All-State football player (in Texas) and didn’t really turn his attention fully to baseball at any point in high school. He’s already bounced around the minors, further developing his skills, for 4+ years. In 2011 Middlebrooks would split time between Portland and Pawtucket, putting together a .285 average, 23 home runs, and 94 RBIs in 116 games. This season during his time in Pawtucket Middlebrooks has racked up a .333 average, 9 home runs, and 27 RBIs in 24 games. He’s clearly ready for this next step, and he’s still only 23 years old.

4) Bragging rights – As I previously mentioned, Middlebrooks was something of a jock in high school with football being his other game of choice. He’s been friends with former Arkansas quarterback and current Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallet since he was a child, and he’s currently dating a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. You better believe than Middlebrooks and Mallet are rooting for each other as they make their way up through Boston’s sporting ranks. As of now Middlebrooks has the bragging rights, something I’m sure he’s enjoying chiding Mallet about.

5) Fearless – Will Middlebrooks is 23 years old, and he seems completely unfazed by the hype in Boston. Youth often creates an ignorance is bliss situation, and it appears to be working. Middlebrooks seems too excited and focused on the opportunity in front of him to be bogged down mentally. Much as golfers tend to putt better as they’re coming up in golf’s ranks, Middlebrooks isn’t over-thinking his game as a rookie, instead relying on his natural abilities and allowing himself to continue to develop his eye at the plate.

All in all, I tend to be very reserved when it comes to getting excited about Red Sox prospects – I’m far more inclined to jump on the bandwagon of  an experienced free agent’s signing. That said, I’ve seen enough of Middlebrooks to feel more than comfortable with him owning third base at Fenway Park. I think he’ll be a centerpiece of the Sox offensive attack for a long time to come – a key piece to the new generation of Red Sox that is just starting to bloom.

Will Middlebrooks… easy does it killer. Trust me, you’ve got our attention. Ben Cherrington must be perusing Match.com these days, because since the day you showed up on Fenway’s doorstep you’ve really hit it off. Youk goes down, your stock goes soaring up. Thank you Will. Thank you for being you.

Typically I don’t hop all over new Red Sox prospects who have 4 games of major league experience under their belt. But you need to know who Will Middlebrooks is given the start he’s off to in his major league career; 21 at bats, 8 hits; 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI and a .381 average thus far. In the last two days alone he’s hit a 2-run home run, a 3-run home run, and a Grand Slam. This man may have a future here in Boston.

So now the real question – who the hell is this guy? Middlebrooks was drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 draft by the Red Sox, a selection taken straight out of a Texas high school. Middlebrooks already agreed to play both baseball and football at Texas A&M, but instead signed with the Red Sox to the tune of a $925,000 signing bonus. Perfect; the guy has had an opportunity to wet his whistle, hasn’t screwed it up at a young age, and has an incentive ahead of him to make a whole lot more money.

Middlebrooks’ scouting report reads quite well – a shortstop converted to a third baseman, 25+ home run power, light on his feet with a strong arm. He’s 6’4, 200 pounds, and an extremely hard worker. Sounds to me like the Red Sox need to clone this guy.

I am always hesitant when it comes to signing praises on young guys with little experience – Shane Spencer is my eternal example of this. But that said, it’s hard not to get excited about this kid after watching him go yard then watching Darnell McDonald flail around in the spot behind him.

In a season with very few bright spots except for Boston’s Sun and Moon – David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia – Middlebrooks is giving us something to be excited about. Will Middlebrooks… hell it even sounds like a ballplayer’s name.

Happy to have you.