-- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubh

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. 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Radek Faksa Stars Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Jason Dickinson Jersey . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. The Hokies have caught the racin bug.Virginia Tech will play a football game at Bristol Motor Speedway this year, and the Hokies will also have a car in a pair of NASCAR Sprint Cup races, too.Virginia Tech and Wood Brothers Racing unveiled the No. 21 car driven by Ryan Blaney that will compete in upcoming races at Bristol and Martinsville. The racing team brought the car to the Hokies campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, and stopped by football practice Monday morning.?The car will feature a primary color of maroon, with oorange and white accent stripes (the schools colors are maroon and burnt orange).ddddddddddddVirginia Tech will play Tennessee at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 10, and the car will be on display. The Virginia Tech-themed car will run at the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race held at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday and at the Goodys Fast Relief 500 held at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30.? ' ' '