NEU » o occasions.We are really proud of Breanna, Storm

BOSTON -- All things, even the Chicago Cubs centurylong title drought, must end. But sometimes it feels as though Clay Buchholz will pitch for the Boston Red Sox forever.Buchholz will have his $13.5 million team option for 2017 picked up, the Red Sox announced Thursday, five days before the deadline to make a decision on their longest-tenured pitcher. Although the move doesnt preclude the Sox from trading Buchholz, the expedience with which it was made underscores the veteran right-handers renewed value to the organization.Four months ago, Buchholz had a 5.91 ERA and no role on the pitching staff. But the Red Sox resisted the temptation to trade or release him, and after knuckleballer Steven Wright injured his right shoulder in early August, Buchholz stepped back in, went 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA in his final eight regular-season starts and even started an elimination game in the division series against the Cleveland Indians.We always felt he was a good pitcher, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said late in the season. He didnt get a real good start to the year, but Ive seen guys have tough times but you still know they have ability. We always thought that at some point the depth you have on the pitching staff was going to be important.In a nutshell, that explains why it was a relative no-brainer for the Red Sox to pick up Buchholzs option.Even without Buchholz, the Sox have five proven major league starters: David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz and Wright. Beyond that, though, the ranks become thin, with lefties Henry Owens, Brian Johnson and Roenis Elias representing the best depth options at Triple-A.But retaining the rights to Buchholz also could allow the Red Sox to fill another need by trading one of their veteran starters. Last year, they picked up Buchholzs option for $13 million, then dealt lefty Wade Miley to the Seattle Mariners in December for reliever Carson Smith and Elias.Buchholz, 32, has a 3.96 ERA and 109 ERA-plus in a 10-year big league career that has featured more ups and downs than an elevator, especially since he signed a four-year, $29.945 million contract extension with two team options in 2011. But in a free-agent market that lacks appealing starting pitching options, he likely would have gotten more than a one-year, $13.5 million deal. This year, 27 pitchers made at least $13.5 million, including C.J. Wilson (3.74 career ERA, 110 ERA-plus), Brett Anderson (3.86, 105), Scott Kazmir (4.01, 104), Francisco Liriano (4.05, 100) and John Danks (4.38, 98).When I signed that deal, I knew what it was going to be like, Buchholz said in September. Its not like Im going to not go to spring training or hold out or anything. I feel like one [more] year is just another year. If Im healthy next year, Im going to be healthy the year after that. Im here until they tell me Im not.The Red Sox made a few other moves Thursday, declining their $3.75 million option on backup catcher Ryan Hanigan, who will instead receive an $800,000 buyout. Also, as a formality, the Sox exercised a $16 million option on David Ortiz, although they still fully expect the iconic slugger to retire.In procedural moves, third baseman Pablo Sandoval, catcher/left fielder Blake Swihart and relievers Carson Smith and Brandon Workman were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Utility infielder Josh Rutledge was removed from the 60-day DL and outrighted to Triple-A.Thomas Morstead Saints Jersey . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Womens Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Saints-Tre-Quan-Smith-Jersey/ . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Morten Andersen Saints Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Thomas Morstead Womens Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming.For the second consecutive season, the WNBAs top rookie hails from Seattle.The Storms Breanna Stewart was named the leagues 2016 Rookie of the Year on Thursday. The 6-foot-4 forward led all first-year players in scoring (18.3, sixth overall in the WNBA), rebounding (9.3, second) and blocked shots (1.9, third) in the regular season.It is truly an honor to be given this award in such a competitive league full of powerful women, Stewart said.Stewart, whose Seattle teammate Jewell Loyd won the honor in 2015, received 38 votes from a national panel of 39 sportswriters and broadcasters. San Antonios Moriah Jefferson, Stewarts college teammate the past four years at UConn, received the other vote.Stewart also headlined the WNBA All-Rookie Team, which included Jefferson, Dallas forward Aerial Powers, Chicago center Imani Boyette and Fever guard Tiffany Mitchell.In helping Seattle return to the postseason for the first time since 2013, Stewart tied for the league lead in minutes (34.7 per game), tallieed 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures in 31 of 34 games.dddddddddddd She scored a season-high 38 points on two occasions.We are really proud of Breanna, Storm coach Jenny Boucek said. She had a fairly seamless transition into this league in part because of her talent but also because of her coachability, attitude, humility and her love for the game.Since April, Stewart has led UConn to an unprecedented fourth consecutive NCAA championship, won her third straight Naismith Player of the Year award, received the first pick in the WNBA draft and made her Olympic debut, winning her first gold medal in Rio with USA Basketball. She also swept all four WNBA Rookie of the Month awards this season.The Storm, who lost to Atlanta in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, are the first team in league history to have Rookie of the Year honorees in consecutive seasons. ' ' '