Sweeney now has two more years of pay to pocket and, more important, two added years of job security as a tool that will help him encourage someone to take over his bench.

The Celtics need to get younger and less expensive, so Stevens is likely to use the team's picks in next month’s draft — Nos. 28 and 32 — as assets to lower payroll and boost young talent.

It’s just the tone you set and the example you set for the team,” said Felger, criticizing Red Sox manager Alex Cora for missing Monday's game following his daughter's college graduation.