How many times have we seen issues that we think are important going into Spring Training become inconsequential as the regular season rolls along? Didn't we have too much pitching last year with Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, Dice-K, Buchholz, Smoltz & Penny? We know how that turned out.
To me the 6-weeks of Spring Training give the players - new & old - a means of getting to know each other. It will be hard for new guys to make the Red Sox team since it's pretty well set already. There may be one or two spots up for grabs on the Opening Day roster.
Veterans get their work in & prepare their bodies for the grind of the season. It makes no difference how they hit, field or pitch. I remember seeing Cliff Lee get lit-up in his Spring Training starts last year & look what he accomplished in the playoffs for the Phillies. As I said in my last article, don't look for too much from David Ortiz or other starters.
The new kids, like Casey Kelly, will be trying to impress management for a job later in the year. A few relievers will jockey for the remaining spot in the bullpen. Some may hope to graduate to the Triple-A team from the lower minor leagues.
Spring Training is a chance to see your established players play for 2 or 3 innings. Mostly, it's a chance to see the future. Don't read too much into it.
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