Big Names on Display in New England Professional Sports Teams

In the past few months, three out of the four New England based professional sports teams have made big trades and signings to acquire big names in an attempt to bring the region championships. After a long time of trying to lure the big names to the region, it seems that they are coming and they are there to stay. Here are those names:

Kevin Garnett

One of the biggest names in basketball is now on one of the most storied franchises in basketball. Garnett finally agreed to join the Celtics, and the Timberwolves agreed to trade him in return for seven players (two through 2009 draft picks).

Sure the Celtics gave up promising young forward Al Jefferson, but his contract was up in two years and he would hardly have been worth the max-deal money that would be necessary to resign him. The Celtics also included four bench players in the deal, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff (and his $11 million in cap relief), troubled Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes (who I am personally sad to see leave). When you break it down, the Celtics only gave up one guaranteed starter for one of the best power forwards in NBA history, doesn't seem like a bad trade on paper.

Ray Allen

Lost in the midst of the Kevin Garnett trade is Ray Allen. Allen was acquired only about a month ago by the Celtics on draft night. Allen is a multi-time all-star and he had the best year of his career last season, averaging over 26 points per game. All the Celtics had to give up for an all-star was a promising one. The Celtics traded the fifth overall pick in the draft, eventually Jeff Green, to the Celtics in return for one of the best shooters of this era in the NBA.

Eric Gagne

Remember Eric Gagne? He was the National League Cy Young award winner only a few short seasons ago, but this year everyone wrote him off as a has-been. But Why?

Gagne was out the past two seasons with injuries. He had surgery on his pitching arm and that led many to say that his career was about over. He proved them all wrong. Gagne has a 2.09 ERA with 16 saves in 17 opportunites

Gagne should give the Red Sox the best bullpen in all of baseball when he comes to town. Gagne, Delcarmen, Timlin, Okajima and Papelbon will give manager Terry Francona a lot of options and a lot of ways to keep his bullpen fresh when October comes around.

The Sox did have to give up some good talent in return for Gagne. Kason Gabbard has pitcher well the last month in replacement of Curt Schilling and David Murphy was a promising young outfielder, even though it didn't appear he had much of a future with the Red Sox.

Randy Moss

The Patriots traded for Randy Moss a few short months ago, but he has been lost among all the other acquisitions in the New England area since his acquisition. Moss will be the first premier receiver that Tom Brady has worked with and considering how he worked with lesser talent, the Brady-Moss combination should be one of the best in football. A fourth-round draft pick for a future hall-of-famer seems like a no-brainer.

...and don't forget the signings.

Donte Stallworth

Patriots fans were ecstatic when they heard the news that Stallworth was coming to town, and this was before Randy Moss was traded for. Stallworth had a great season last year and he is a tall, physical receiver, something the Patriots have always needed. When the best receivers you have are Reche Caldwell and Jabbar Gaffney, Stallworth is a huge upgrade.

Wes Welker

Wes Welker was a very reliable receiver in Miami. Last season he had 67 catches for over 650 yards. He will be able to run the cross routes well and he will take the punishment that playing in the middle receives. He will be a reliable third option behind Stallworth and Moss.