Spring Training Q & A

What answers to questions did we find out during Spring Training?

Q: Can David Ortiz still be a power threat in the middle of the order?

A: Yes. He hit a few homers that show he still has some pop. The real test comes in April & May.

Q: What is the plan for Mike Lowell?

A: Still unknown. It looks like he will break camp as a Red Sox, but that could be short lived.

Q: Who is the odd man out of the starting rotation?

A: Dice-K for now. He is about 2 weeks behind the other pitchers.

Q: Can the Sox compete against the Yankees?

A: I guess we'll see the first test on Sunday night. I look at the 2010 Yankees having less offense without Damon & Matsui who were both excellent in the playoffs. If CC Sabathia can repeat his 2009 stats, the Yanks will be hard to beat. If CC goes down, so do the Bronx Bombers.

Let's hope the Sox get off to their usual hot start in April. It's going to be a fun year.

No Luck for Lowell

Jon Lester mowed down the Blue Jays for 6 innings. Another workmanlike start for the Red Sox number 2 pitcher in this year's rotation.

As Lester was mowing down Toronto, Mike Lowell fouled a ball off his leg in the first inning & had to be helped off the field. I look at that foul ball as the biggest play of the Spring. It may keep Lowell in a Red Sox uniform when they break camp. Lowell was scheduled to play back-to-back days & that plan is now scrubbed. Time has just about run out to showcase Lowell over the pre-season. I say good.

One sports outlet is asking whether it's worth keeping a $12 million player as a sub? I'd reverse the question. Is it worth paying $9 million for a player to play for another team? I'd keep Mike Lowell anyday. He's a professional. He's a winner.

Ortiz Healthy, Not Hitting Yet

After a couple of dingers last week Big Papi has slumped again in his last 13 at bats with just one hit. What does it mean? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Historically, take a look at who's hot & who's not during Spring Training & it has little to no connection to what translates into the regular season. Teams like the Kansas City Royals can win a bunch of pre-season games & still end up in last place. I remember J.D. Drew hitting up a storm his first year in Fort Myers & not doing much during the regular season. The carryover just isn't there.

Ortiz will get his real test in April & May. I'd hold off judgment until then. He's healthy. He's in shape. He's swinging without pain. And he's in a contract year. Let's see what number 34 can do when the games count.

Mike Lowell In a Black Hole

I've been waiting like most of Red Sox Nation for news during Spring Training as to Mike Lowell's status. As the song says, do I stay or do I go?

It's like a black hole surrounds Lowell with no one wanting to make a comment. Everyone is waiting & watching. With one week left to Spring Training you would think something would have happened by now. But no word yet.

I mentioned on the podcast that I hoped Lowell would stay with the team - as a backup for Ortiz, Beltre or Youk. Why not since the Sox are going to eat most of his salary.

The betting line, however, is that he will be traded. Lowell has played sparingly at 1B & 3B so far. One report a week ago mentioned the Marlins may be interested in re-acquiring him. But all has been quiet since.

My opinion hasn't changed. I hope the Sox keep him.

Wake In, Dice-K Out to Start Season

ESPN Boston is reporting that Dice-K will be the odd man out of the 5-man rotation when the Sox break camp from the Fort. And, after a solid performance over 6-innings today, Tim Wakefield is in the rotation.

No rush for Dice-K. There will be plenty of innings for both he & Wake over the course of 162 games. It makes sense to be sure that Dice is ready for the long haul before rushing him back too quickly. And let's not forget that Wake broke down after the All-Star break last year. He is 43.

It's great to have Beckett, Lester, Lackey & Buchholz as your first 4. Most teams would love to have Dice-K & Wake as a #2 or #3 in their rotation. We have the luxury of using one while the other continues to progress & build up arm strength.

Beckett Ready to Open Season

Josh Beckett mowed down the Pirates for 5 innings today. He is on track to start the home opener on April 4th against the Yanks.

Also, the offense hit 3 home runs today. Just wanted to throw that in. As Spring Training moves along, the Sox hitters are starting to go yard with more frequency.

With Pedroia's wrist injury not serious, x-rays negative, we should be ready to start the season with a totally healthy squad. Even Dice-K makes a start tomorrow.

I can't think of anyone else I would want on the mound than Beckett on April 4th. He has the ability to carry a team, like 2007, & he is in his contract year. Can't wait for the regular season to start! Bring on the Yankees.

Mauer Stays At Home

8-years, $184 million. That's what the small market, small payroll team in Minnesota gave Joe Mauer to stay in a Twins uniform for the future. Is Mauer worth it?

No one, especially the average fan in this economy, can comprehend the size of contracts being offered to the best players in baseball. Mauer is one of the best. And most expect him to be one of the best catcher's ever by the time his playing days are over.

Sox fans were hoping that Mauer might go the free agency route when his contract expires at the end of this season. But being a Minnesota native & having the chance to play for the home team was too much to pass up.

Mauer will be the centerpiece for the Twins as they move to their new open-air stadium this year. It's a good baseball story that he stayed in Minnesota. (OK, all Red Sox fans are also thinking that it's good the Yankees never had a chance to get him either!)

Pedroia Hurts Wrist

The last thing any manager wants is to have a starter get injured in Spring Training. Dustin Pedroia hurt his wrist in the 1st inning of yesterday's game when he dove for a ground ball to his left & landed awkwardly. He was taken for x-rays as a precaution & is listed as day-to-day.

We can't afford to lose a sparkplug like Petey for any length of time. He gives the line-up energy. Let's hope it's just a sore wrist & nothing more.

Bud Selig & Re-Alignment

Commissioner Bud is talking about a possible re-alignment of divisions. It is possible that the Red Sox & Yankees could end up in different divisions.

Is that good for baseball? Not really. Every one of the 19 regular-season games between these 2 teams draws national attention, not to mention the playoffs. Red Sox-Yankees is the best rivalry in all of sports.

I say think again, Bud.

Home Runs Keep Coming

Dustin Pedroia & Mike Cameron joined in the Spring fling of big flies with a home run each yesterday. Earlier in the week, Youk & Scutaro went yard. Ellsbury had 2 in an earlier game this pre-season. Big Papi has 2 so far.

Maybe the offense doesn't have that one 40-HR guy. But we do have several guys who are 20 + candidates. Youk, Victor, Ortiz, Beltre, Drew & Cameron are all capable of 20 or more dingers this year. Ells, Pedroia & Scutaro can also go deep on occasion as well.

Let's not cut the offense off at the knees yet. As long as we have some guys hot, & not everyone cold at the same time, we should put up 5 runs a game. It's not the 7 runs per game of the past, but given the pitching staff, that should be enough to win most games.

Embree Brings Back Nostalgia

It's 2004. It's Yankee Stadium. It's the bottom of the 9th & 2 outs. Alan Embree gets a ground out to 2nd & the Sox complete the biggest comeback in sports history against the New York Yankees. The Sox go on to win their first World Series in 86 years.

That's what I remember about Alan Embree. He's part of Red Sox history. That will never change.

Can Embree help the Sox in 2010? I say doubtful. At 40 years old his arm has been through the ringer with various ailments & injuries. If the Sox need another lefty out of the pen, it's time to look into the farm & give someone a chance there.

Embree brings back a great memory of a great season for all of Red Sox Nation. But I don't think he's the answer in 2010.

Wakefield Has Good Outing

Tim Wakefield pitched 5 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. With Dice-K scheduled to make a minor league start today for his first competition of the Spring it's a certainty that Wakefield will be the #5 starter to begin the season.

Tim has the ability to control an almost uncontrollable pitch - the knuckler. My dad use to play around with a knuckleball when we would play catch & it would go all over. Wake has mastered a pitch only a very few other have, names like Hoyt Wilhelm or Wilbur Wood. And as long as Wakefield has been pitching, he can still make batters look pretty bad at the plate when he's got it dancing up there.

If Wake can stay healthy, look for double digit wins & another season of eating up innings wherever the Sox need him - either as a starter or a long reliever. We are lucky to have such a versatile guy & one of such good character. Wake is a great ambassador for the game as was shown with his first All-Star selection last year.

Get ready to see the knuckler for another season in 2010.

Yankees Face Power Outage Too

There has been non-stop talk all throughout the offseason about the Sox lack of offensive power this season. Personally, I think the Yankees will not be as potent this year as in the past.

Gone from the Bronx are Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui & Melkie Cabrera. If someone tells you that Granderson & Johnson are going to plug those offensive holes left by Damon & Matsui, it's a lie. They are a down-grade, not an up-grade. Not to mention neither has performed on a big stage. Yes, A-Rod, Jeter & Teixeira are still there. But that's the only 3 to worry about in a lineup of 9. The other 6 are 2 innings of outs every 3 innings.

Don't think the Yankees have a lock on the AL East. For my money the Red Sox have a better blue collar group of 9 that can get the job done.

Big Papi Hitting

Big Papi is starting to hit. Ortiz swatted a few homers & singles in his last 2 or 3 Grapefruit League outings. According to ESPN Boston, one scout said that he's swinging free & easy.

Another year removed from his wrist injury, maybe Big Papi is ready to be Big Papi again. It would sure be a great help to a "Bay-less" offense & take the pressure off the rest of the lineup.

Going into his last contract year, Big Papi wants to stay around for several more campaigns. To do so, he needs to hit like it's 2004. If there is one guy who can do it, it's #34.

Ortiz has faced every kind of pressure in a Boston uniform. I think he can handle the pressure of a 2010 season where he needs to re-establish himself as a dominant force in the Red Sox middle.

How Do You Spell Middle Relief?

With pitching touted as a strength of this year's Red Sox addition I'm not so sure about middle relief from Manny Delcarmen & Ramon Ramirez.

In games we are leading after 6 innings the "A" relief team is Okajima, Bard & Pap. But those 3 can't pitch everyday.

Delcarmen & Ramirez both had horrible 2nd half's last year. I always think of Delcarmen as a 50/50 proposition. If he's not walking batters & getting behind in the count, he's OK. Last year Ramirez had the same streak of Manny wildness in the 2nd half after a very good 1st half. Yesterday, for example, Ramirez was unable to get one batter out against the Mets. If Delcarmen & Ramirez don't find the plate, it could spell big trouble for the Sox in the 6th & 7th innings.

There may be a few young arms from Pawtucket that get a chance at middle relief if Delcarmen & Ramirez don't improve.

Dice-K to Start Sunday

While Jon Lester & John Lackey had good outings yesterday in Grapefruit League competition, Dice-K also had a good outing throwing to Sox farm hands in a side session. If it's good news about Dice-K, we'll take it.

Dice-K is now scheduled to start a Grapefruit League game on Sunday. Does he have enough time left in Spring Training to catch up to the other starters? Who knows? If he can go 2 or 3 innings on Sunday, maybe. There's still 2 weeks plus to Spring Training. Most starters break camp ready to go 5 or 6 innings in April.

It would be nice for Dice-K to get on a positive roll now with no other setbacks. We will need him plus Wakefield plus Buccholz to get to 95 wins this year.

Pet Peeves - Chapter 2

I guess I hit a nerve when I listed my pet peeves at baseball games earlier this week. My podcast buddy Steve would like to add a few of his own to the list.

1) Any MLB player who cannot execute a bunt.
Give me a break! This is a fundamental skill that should be learned in Little League. If a big leaguer can't bunt, the skill should be worked on with that player over & over again until he can - period.

Steve, I agree. It's embarassing to see how bad the technique is on some players. A bunt, especially in the American League, is only called for at a critical point in the game. Lack of proper execution can be the difference between a win & a loss.

2) No more camera close-ups on players spitting out tobacco juice. Enough said.

Again, I agree. These cameramen kill me. Before you know it they will be in the clubhouse filming guys getting dressed. How about those wonderful & exciting in-game interviews with the managers! Useless.

That concludes our 2nd installment of pet peeves. Feel free to chime in anytime.

Ellsbury Versus Bay

I like ESPN Boston. However, I disagree with their recent article which says that Jacoby Ellsbury needs to make-up for the loss of production from Jason Bay. Bologna!

Ellsbury needs to be Ellsbury. He needs to get on base, create havoc on the bases & help manufacture runs. It wouldn't surprise me if his power numbers were better this year, but he's a singles/doubles guy on an everyday basis. Hitting home runs is not his forte.

Why put the unnecessary stress on Jacoby of comparing him to Jason Bay? Bay & Ellsbury are completely different players. How about we look for better years from Martinez, Youkilis & Ortiz in the middle of the order? How about we look for better production from Drew, Beltre & Cameron? These 6 are your big boppers. Ellsbury, Pedroia & Scutaro are table setters.

I think this article is totally unfair to Ellsbury & way off base.

Ryan Westmoreland's Surgery Successful

Do you cringe a little when you hear of people younger than you enduring life-threatening diseases, or worse, dying? I do all the time.

It was that way when I learned of Ryan Westmoreland's brain surgery at age 19. As a top pick in the Sox farm system, you think here is a kid with unlimited potential for the future.

Thank God that Westmoreland's surgery was successful today per the Red Sox website. A 5-hour operation removed the mass in his brain that was causing him headaches & numbness. No timetable has been set for his return to baseball activities.

Life & death brings everyone together. All other pettiness goes away. It's one or the other, live or die. This result is a good one - Ryan is among the living. Like Jon Lester, we hope that he can comeback from this huge health obstacle & return to baseball activities in the near future.

Good luck, Ryan! Glad you're still with us.

Straight Talk from Rem Dawg

I enjoy Jerry Remy as the color announcer on NESN. He has many fans who especially missed him last year while recovering from a bout of depression. His latest video reports from the Fort have him back to normal - telling it like it is.

Dice-K: In a word, frustrating. Jerry feels there is no way he will be ready to start the season with the big club. A sore back & stiff neck have kept him off the schedule to be ready in time for Game 1. Just when you thought the Sox & Dice were on the same page.

Lowell: Sad situation. If anyone can handle it, Lowell can.

Ortiz: No need for panic yet. Wait for the last few weeks of Spring Training to see if his bat gets going.

Sounds like good advice. It will be fun to have Jerry back for a full season in 2010.

Lowell Back in Action

Mike Lowell is back. Not as a 3B or DH, but as a 1B. Lowell started at first base & went 1-2 at the plate. His audition for a new team has begun.

My podcast partners Gaff & Steve think that Lowell will be traded before the start of the season. That's the smart money if you are a betting person. I'm still hoping that there is some way to keep him with this year's team. But that is a minority view.

Lowell continues to have a huge fan following within Red Sox Nation & rightly so. He got a great ovation today. To me, you just can't have enough good guys & Lowell is one of them.

Too bad Mike's days are numbered as a Red Sox player.

MLB Network Reviews the Sox

"30 Clubs in 30 Days" is the slogun for the MLB Network. I had a chance to catch the installment on the Red Sox yesterday.

It's interesting to see how stats tell a story. The Sox had good stats last year in starting pitching, bullpen & offense. Maybe the defense was more middle-of-the pack than in the top 5 like the other categories. Looking strictly at stats, you wonder why the Sox were not in the World Series.

One stat was constant - all the numbers in the 2nd half were worse than the first half. Red Sox fans know that. A typical year is a fast start in April & May, a slow down in mid-June into the All-Star break in July, a struggling July, a rebound in August & a strong September going into the playoffs.

What the numbers didn't show is a lack of offense in the playoffs squandering several good pitching performances. They didn't show the inability to beat the Yankees & CC Sabathia in the 2nd half. They didn't show the meltdown by Pap.

Best part of the MLB Network show was seeing Hazel Mae interviewing the players & manager. We miss you at NESN, Hazel!

Beckett & Dice-K Miss Workouts

Josh Beckett missed his scheduled start yesterday. No injury involved, just the flu.

Dice-K was suppose to throw off the mound, but a stiff neck kept him from his scheduled performance. I hope this is not a year where it's one injury after another for Dice-K. First his back, now his neck. It must be frustrating for him too, especially after getting in shape for Spring Training via the Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.

Every year we always talk about the surplus of starting pitching. It's nice to have a Tim Wakefield & a Boof Bonser in the wings - just for these situations. At this point you would think that Wake will be one of the 5 if Dice-K is not ready when camp breaks.

It will take a great effort by all the starters to get the Sox through the regular season & playoffs. Can't have enough pitching.

Westmoreland Needs Brain Surgery

What a shame to see any young athlete with major health issues. Ryan Westmoreland, 19, a highly touted pick of the Boston Red Sox, will stop all baseball activities immediately & undergo surgery in Arizona to remove a mass from his brain.

All Sox fans have to be reminded of Jon Lester & his bout with cancer from a few years ago. Let's hope that Ryan is as fortunate as Lester with his health issues & he is also able to resume his career with the Sox in the near future.

Good luck, Ryan! Many prayers from Red Sox Nation will be with you this week.

Pet Peeves - Volume 1

As I get older, I find that I'm crankier or that certain things bother me more than before. I attended a Spring Training game & it was televised today. Here's my 1st two pet peeves of the year.

Pet Peeve #1:

There is no need for TV cameramen to be running around the field during the playing of the National Anthem. Do we really need to see a player picking his nose or talking to a teammate. Hey photographers, you won't win an Academy Award for any pictures taken at that time. Stop ruining the moment for people in the stand. Honor America & stand still.

Pet Peeve #2:

Idiot cell phone man #1 starts the procession down in front of home plate to waive at the camera while the game is going on so his "homies" can see him on TV. After the first one starts, the parade never stops. One person after another continues down, talking on the cell phone & waiving like crazy to get their ugly mugs on TV. Just stop it. Please. How about the fans trying to watch the game? I'd love to ban cell phones at games or have designated cell phone areas like designated smoking areas. The designated area would be nowhere near a camera.

I'm sure there will be more irritations as the year goes on. These are just my 1st two. Feel free to share any pet peeves that you have.

Shopping Time for Lowell

Mike Lowell is expected to get his first action in Florida on Monday. As soon as he gets between the lines, his new suitors will come a-callin.'

Lowell is a fan favorite for the way he has handled himself on & off the field. There were the trade rumors of 2009. Then came the signing of Adrian Beltre this off-season. Through it all Lowell has remained a professional with no bad-mouthing of the Red Sox brass.

I'm not alone when I say I hope no team picks him up & he stays with the Sox. He can the a back-up DH, a back-up 3B or a back-up 1B, along with a potent pinch-hitter. But logic says that won't happen.

Lowell would be an asset to any AL club looking for a DH. He would be an asset to any NL looking for a 1B / hitter. Mike should have several places to go & the Sox have already shown an interest in eating much of his salary.

It shouldn't take long for offers to come in once Lowell shows he is healthy. If he goes to another AL club, expect one huge ovation when he returns to Fenway Park.

Problems Continue With Maple Bats

I was at a Spring Training game yesterday where a female fan behind me thought it was "cute" that 2 maple bats shattered into pieces during the game. She was hoping to see more broken bats.

Yesterday, David Price from the Rays got cut on his non-throwing hand from an Adrian Beltre broken maple bat. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that a serious injury is just another broken bat away.

Maple is a light wood. Players shave the handle of the bat down so they can swing through the hitting zone quicker. The light weight allows players to use longer bats with bigger barrels, thus more surface area to hit the ball. Think of it as a Big Bertha club in golf.

No results were ever published from a study by MLB who collected broken bats last year. You think players would be concerned about the use of maple bats. Not so! It may not be as sexy as steroids or HGH, but players will continue to use maple bats because it improves performance. It's a weapon to get more hits, more offense, ultimately a bigger paycheck.

I hope a player doesn't have to die before something is done.

How Good Will Ellsbury Be?

Jacoby Ellsbury hit 2 home runs yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Spring Training. Last year he stole 70 bases, shattering the old mark by Tommy Harper. How will Ells perform in 2010?

Based upon experience you would think that Jacoby is just coming into his own. The move to LF should be no problem & may save him from injury without all those sprawling catches in CF. His combination of power & speed makes you think about comparisons to other leadoff men, like Grady Sizemore & Johnny Damon. It should be, & actually needs to be, a good year for Ells offensively as the Sox need better-than-average years from their starting 9 to offset the power outage from losing Bay & keeping an older Big Papi.

I look for a big year from Ells, now in uniform #2. He can steal a run for you in those tight games against good pitching. He can also go yard when you're not looking. (Plus my granddaughter thinks he's hot!)

Beckett, Sox Talking Extension

Josh Beckett is entering the final year of his 3-year deal worth $30 million. He is 1 year younger than John Lackey. If you do the math, Beckett should be looking for the same deal that Lackey got - 5 years & $82.5 million. (Don't you wonder how that $.5 million got in there?)

Beckett has had injuries in the past. They were mostly associated with blisters on his throwing fingers. Knock on wood, he hasn't seen a re-occurrence of blisters with the Red Sox. Josh did have arm trouble in 2008 that kept him from being the dominent pitcher in the playoffs that he was in 2007. However, he did comeback to throw over 200 innings in 2009.

Maddux, Glavine & Smoltz did it for years with the Atlanta Braves. Beckett, Lester & Lackey would be a very good equivalent in Boston. It would be nice to get the extension done & out of the way before the regular season starts.

Beckett is still a no-hit threat on the mound that opposing batters don't look forward to facing. I say do it.

Reddick & Kalish Helping to Win

Josh Reddick & Ryan Kalish are not household names yet around Red Sox Nation. Both are outfielders. Both hit from the left side. And both have been doing something positive to help the Sox win in Fort Myers.

There is nothing standout-ish about either player. Yet, they do all the little things right - hit the cutoff, drive in a run, keep an inning going with a base hit, take an extra base. They remind me of J.D. Drew. When Drew is in a game, more times than not, he will do something positive in the field or at the plate to help you win. (It'd just keeping Drew on the field that's a problem.)

Reddick had a few hits (2 HR's) for the Sox big team when he was called up in 2009. Kalish hasn't made a splash with the big team yet, but he will. With Drew & Cameron getting older these guys could be their replacements or part of a bigger trade in the future.

I like Reddick & Kalish. I hope they stay.

Nomar a Red Sox for One More Day

Nomar Garciaparra retired from baseball yesterday. He did so after signing a 1-day contract with the Boston Red Sox so he could officially retire as a member of the team he started with.

Nomar was a legend with the Sox from 1996 to 2004. Notwithstanding a bitter 2004 contract dispute & ultimate trade, he played with heart & soul for many years at shortstop. Nomar was compared to Jeter & A-Rod as the best offensive & defensive shortstops within the league. His return to Fenway in 2009 as a member of the A's was capped off with a standing "O" from the fans.

I think it was pretty classy on both sides to have Nomar retire as a Red Sox.

Questions Over Big Papi

David Ortiz had his first hit of the Grapefruit League season, discounting the earlier HR off the college pitcher. The question of this Spring Training at Red Sox camp is whether or not the big man can bounce back from a subpar 2009 & bring nastiness back to the #4 spot in the order. I heard a few comments on this topic that I'd like to respond to.

First, reporters are quick to jump on results from the first 5 or 10 at bats in the Spring. Relax, reporters. As long as Ortiz is getting enough plate appearances to see the ball well & make good contact, that's all he needs to do. I saw him drive a nice ball to left-center yesterday that was caught. At this stage of Spring Training pitchers are a full week ahead of the hitters.

Second, the Sox can decide not to pick-up his option in 2011. That's true. However, Big Papi advised the media that he plan to play at least 4 more years. He knows that he needs to produce in 2010 to get a contract in 2011 & beyond. Ortiz is a smart guy. I think he knows exactly what needs to be done this year to get his mind & body ready for the 2010 season.

Let's let Big Papi's bat do the talking in April. I think he's ready to party like 2004. Bring nasty back #34!

Beckett, Iglesias Shine in Win

Josh Beckett did his thing - 9 up & 9 down. Jose Iglesias had another nice day at the plate. The J & J boys helped the Sox beat the Cardinals in another come-from-behind win today.

Knowing the competitiveness of Beckett, Josh is not looking to give up the #1 ace spot to Lester or Lackey. A healthy Josh Beckett is just what the doctor ordered to get one of the best rotations in baseball off on the right note. He looks on-target so far to be the Sox starter on Opening Day.

Iglesias is a kid making the most of his time in camp. Everyone knows that he can pick the ball. But Jose's bat has come to life with extra-base hits lately. ESPN Boston is saying why wait to bring him up. Maybe we won't need 2 years of Scutaro at short. Like Casey Kelly, however, the Sox will be protective of Iglesias & give him time to adjust.

So far, so good as Spring Training goes.

Buchholz, Bonser, Kelly Get Loose

Clay Buchholz had his first action of the Spring yesterday. Like Jon Lester, it didn't go as well as planned. But the main thing is getting the work in.

The second time around for Boof Bonser and Casey Kelly went very well. Both pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief. Both throw in low to mid 90's with excellent breaking balls & a change-up for good measure. A few more outing like that & it will make Tito's job tougher, especially since Bonser is looking to be a long reliever. The 20-year old Kelly will be sent to minors, just a question of what level.

Buccholz should get the #4 spot in the rotation based upon his performances from last August & September. Tim Wakefield & Dice-K are also circling the wagons to begin the year in the starting rotation. 3 guys for 2 spots. I bet that Buchholz gets one of them.

Dice-K Improving

I get mixed vibes when I read & listen to reporters about the progress of Dice-K coming back from his back injury.

Some say his mechanics are much improved (as recently as Friday) & he is ready to get back on the mound. Others say that he will not be ready for Opening Day which is still a month away.

John Farrell was quoted as saying that the Dice-man's mechanics were better than in 2008 when he won 18 games. Even Dice-K mentioned that he feels he is in the best shape of his career.

So, given all these positive statements, we still see Tito & Farrell saying that they will take it slow & easy with Dice-K. He may or may not be ready for Opening Day, giving Tim Wakefield an opportunity to crack the starting 5 rotation.

With Wakefield & Buchholz available I guess there is no rush to run Dice-K out there. Even so, I'd like to see Dice make his 30 starts this year after taking 2009 off. It's a "pull your weight" kind of thing with me.

Lackey Off to Good Start

John Lackey is off to a good start. Other that Jon Lester who got roughed up in his first tune-up, all the pitching thus far has been solid for the Red Sox - as expected.

Lackey's debut saw 6 up & 6 down for the Twins. Can't do better than that. Also good is the fact that Lackey is staying out of the limelight & craziness that surrounds the Red Sox in Fort Myers. He gets his work in & is happy to be the 3rd wheel in the Beckett-Lester-Lackey trio.

No drama. No ego. Just a hard-working guy. I like it.

Baseball Is Life

I had the greatest time today. My first Spring Training game of the season. If you have ever been an opening day pitcher, you know what that thrill is like.

We had a wonderful time with my brother & sister-in-law who joined me & my wife. Good game. 2 home runs. A few good pitchers & a few good plays in the field. The home team won.

Afterwards, we went to a local bar for the 10th inning. We met Tricia, an oncology nurse, who attended the game with several friends. Actually, she made many new friends at the bar as well. But seriously, she talked about how her dad's death effected her last year & how we need to live each day to the fullest. She also said we were old enough to be her parents. OK, so we're old. We paid her tab anonymously.

Baseball is a family sport that spans generations. At today's game my wife was asked to take a picture of a son with his dad. Even though the dad wore a Harvard hat (& I'm a Brown grad), she took the picture anyways. The dad was 91 years old & I'm sure it's a memory they will cherish.

That's why I love baseball. It's past down from generation to generation. Even my grandson already knows the "Youkkkk" cheer.

Hope you enjoyed today too. Baseball is back.

Jerry Remy Back

Jerry Remy is back for another season as the color analyst for NESN's broadcasts of Red Sox games. He was sorely missed last year as Don Orsillo made the best of things with a wide cast of characters to fill Jerry's shoes. How bad was Brian Daubach?

Rem Dawg is down at the Fort for Spring Training & back to speaking his mind, as always. In thinking about this year, Remy is not so sure that the Red Sox offense will be as anemic as anticipated. He does put the target directly on David Ortiz, though, to make the offense go. Jerry thinks Big Papi is the key.

Welcome back, Rem! I like your candor & honestly, something not easy to find these days with so many clones who tow the company line. Let's hope Jerry is healthy enough to go the distance this year.

Lackey's Turn Today

John Lackey, the Sox's biggest acquisition in the off-season, gets his turn today. He will start a split-squad game against the Twins.

Lackey is a pitcher whose bulldog determination is similar to Josh Beckett's. He never wants to come out of a game &, for the first time, pitched well in the playoffs last year against the Sox & Yankees. The trick is to keep him healthy & on the field, taking his turn every 5th day. Lackey, Beckett & Lester give the Sox a big 3 at the front of their rotation.

A new team & a big contract can sometimes make a player try to do too much to prove he's worth it & he belongs. It's just human nature. The Sox staff, though, is very good about keeping expectations in check & reeling in over-zealousness this early in the season.

Lackey has flown under the radar so far this Spring. It will be nice to finally see him performing in a Red Sox uniform.

Vets Gets Going

The veterans on the Boston Red Sox got back into the swing of Grapefruit League action this week. The Sox beat the Twins yesterday to go along with wins on Wednesday against Northeastern & BC.

David Ortiz has a home run to his credit. Pedroia had a couple of hits. Scutaro looks good at short. Beckett, Pap, Oki, Bard & Ramirez have all pitched well. This is what Spring Training was made for. Get everyone under contract back out there & gearing up for the regular season grind.

Other than Dice-K & his back, Spring Training is off to a good start.

Kelly & Bonser Look Good

The Sox started their Grapefruit League action with 2 good performances by guys who may see some action at the beginning, middle or end of this season.

Boof Bonser, who hadn't thrown a pitch in over a year, completed a nice & easy 1-2-3 inning. Casey Kelly did the same in his start with a 10-pitch, 2-strikeout performance.

I know. It's Spring Training. It's college teams. It means nothing.

Not so fast! As a former pitcher, I can tell you that success is a great mental tool. Kelly now gets a taste of being in the majors with professional fielders behind him. Bonser gets to feel like his arm problems are fully over & he is 100% again. Those things are important to a pitcher.

It means nothing, but it was a nice start. Both Kelly & Bonser have momentum moving forward.

Are You Buying What Theo's Selling?

Theo has spoken. The Nation has heard the same 4 words all throughout the winter -- run prevention, defense & pitching. The question remains - are you buying it? Do you think the Red Sox can have just an average offense & still win 95 games?

Personally, I think not, at least not in the AL East. To reach 95 wins will take a number of personal bests or above-average seasons from the likes of Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youk, Victor, Big Papi, J.D. Drew, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre & Marco Scutaro. It will take a team effort to score enough runs to win the mandatory 95 games in order to make the playoffs.

Having said that, I don't think it's out of the question that the Sox do attain 95 wins. A change of scenery for Beltre, Cameron & Scutaro may do wonders for their mental outlook. Drew & Ortiz need to bounce back as their contracts come to an end. Petey fell back to earth a little last year, but he & Youk are steady. Ells is still on the upside of his best years. And we get Victor for a whole season.

The Sox can put out a lineup to win everyday. I think everyone would rest easier with an Adrian Gonzalez in the middle of the order.

Boof Bonser - A Great Name

The Grapefruit League gets going for the Red Sox today. Casey Kelly takes the mound in Game 1 & Boof Bonser gets the nod in Game 2.

Not much has been said about the acquisition of Bonser. But isn't "Boof" a great name? You've got to love it.

Bonser is looking to make this team as a long man / emergency starter, a role Justin Masterson played in the past. He did not pitch all of last year, but says he is throwing pain free. Boof does not care what role he is assigned. He's just looking to make the team.

Bonsor has experience with the Minnesota Twins. Like a lot of hard throwing kids, his arm got injured & he took all of 2009 off. As Theo would say, he is a low risk / high reward potential player.

Good luck, Boof! I like your name.

4th Outfielder Is Hermidia

Jeremy Hermidia is the Rocco Baldelli this year. He will be the 4th outfielder when Drew, Cameron or Ellsbury need a day off or are unable to play. This will be a change from his everyday starting status with the Marlins.

As a former #1 draft pick, Hermidia never lived up the the hype associated with being a #1 pick. In 4 years with the Marlins he showed good defensive skills & an OK bat. The Sox are hoping a change in scenery will bring out his best this year. He can relax & just be a part in the machine here.

Given the past history of Drew & the age of Cameron, Hermidia could see action every 3rd or 4th day. He may turn out to be an important piece to the puzzle as the year moves on.

Cameron On "Take It Easy" List

Mike Cameron left workouts early yesterday due to a minor groin injury. He says it's nothing & could play if there was a game today. But the Sox staff had him stop & get treatment.

The Red Sox website also mentioned that Dice-K threw from about 150 feet yesterday. He has been slowly getting back into his pitching routine after a minor back injury.

The Red Sox are always conservative with their players in Fort Myers & rightly so. You don't win anything in March & it's a long, long season. Cameron & Dice-K have a whole month to get ready for the regular season.

Finally, on Wednesday Casey Kelly gets to throw the first pitch of the pre-season. It will be interesting for Red Sox Nation to see their #1 prospect on the mound, even if it is against Boston College.