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Sox on NESN tonight

Tonight's preseason opener against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla. will be broadcast on NESN. The game from City of Palms starts at 7 p.m.

Posted by Peter Phipps  at 9:24 AM | Permalink

Lowell happy to be back

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Mike Lowell was an expensive throw-in coming off a mediocre season when the Red Sox took him so they also could get pitcher Josh Beckett from Florida.

Now the third baseman is a keeper.

After an offseason in which his name was mentioned in trade talks, Lowell is happy to be starting his second season with Boston, especially after the moves the team did make.

“I've been in a lot of rumors all the way through the minor leagues and in my career so I kind of take it as part of the business,” Lowell said. “I'm glad things worked out the way they did. I'm looking forward to a good season and we've got a really good team this year.”

In the trade before last season, Beckett was the big catch. The Marlins, unloading most of their high-priced players, also wanted the Red Sox to take Lowell and the $18 million in the remaining two years of his contract. Eager to get Beckett, Boston agreed.

Lowell was coming off his worst offensive season, a career-low .236 batting average with eight homers and 58 RBIs in 500 at-bats.

“He's not a dumb guy,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “He knew. He heard everything about getting Beckett. I think he felt like he had a lot to prove. I don't think we felt that way.”

Lowell put up much better numbers last season — a .280 average, 20 homers and 80 RBIs. An outstanding fielder throughout his career, he made only six errors, his fewest in seven seasons.

“A guy like Mike, you get more than the numbers,” Francona said. “He plays the game correctly, every inning, every day. Hurt, not hurt. ... He's a pro's pro.”

Lowell expects to be more comfortable and play better this year after familiarizing himself with AL pitchers after seven seasons in the NL.

“At least I have some at-bats off guys like that,” he said. “It helps me and, hopefully with the team we've got, if we stay healthy, we have a very balanced lineup.”

The Red Sox began last season with three starting infielders in their first year with the team. Two of them, second baseman Mark Loretta and shortstop Alex Gonzalez, left after the season as free agents when the team showed little interest in retaining them. They've been replaced by Dustin Pedroia at second and Julio Lugo at shortstop.

“Lugo adds a little bit more offense than Alex does. I think Alex was a little bit more of a defensive wizard,” Lowell said. “I actually like the way Dustin swings the bat, but we'll see how quickly he can adjust.”

One player who wanted to be traded after the season is still with Boston.

Manny Ramirez has asked to be traded several times.

Lowell said Ramirez works very hard, is “one of the guys” on the team bus and continues to hit extremely well.

“He could eat four bananas and a slice of pizza before every game,” Lowell said. “If it makes him hit that way, you'll see a lot of guys eating four bananas and a slice of pizza.”

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:38 AM | Permalink

David Eckstein gives Sox farm team a boost

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - When David Eckstein's first professional team decided to honor the diminutive World Series MVP, another bobblehead wouldn't do.

So the Lowell Spinners will give out stepstools with Eckstein's likeness to the first 1,500 fans on July 20 in honor of the 5-foot-7 infielder who led the St. Louis Cardinals to the championship last fall.

"I'm definitely a kid-type person. If you're short like me, it's useful," Eckstein said. "I thought I could use something like that at home too, and even at my locker so I can actually see what's on the top shelf instead of using a chair."

A Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, the Spinners have been on the cutting edge of minor-league promotions. Among them: a bobblehead for Beat Generation author and Lowell native Jack Kerouac, the world's largest game of "Duck, Duck, Goose," and an offer to swap Spinners jerseys for any New England youth team that wanted to shed the name of the dreaded Yankees.

When it came time to honor Eckstein, who began his professional career in Lowell in 1997, the Spinners wanted to make sure he wouldn't be offended.

"David's been a great sport," Spinners general manager Tim Bawmann said. "He might need a stepstool at his locker, but he certainly doesn't need any help on the baseball diamond."

The Spinners recently released other plans for 2007 promotions, including a "Dice-K" Fuzzy Dice Giveaway in honor of the Red Sox new pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Update: Surprise! Manny's in camp

AP photo / Brita Meng Outzen
A fan asks Manny Ramirez for his autograph after Ramirez arrived at baseball spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla.

Manny Ramirez unexpectedly reported to camp this morning, arriving early to undergo a physical. Escorted by agent Greg Genske, Ramirez came to camp three days ahead of schedule. Ramirez had informed the club -- first through teammate Julian Tavarez and later to the club directly -- that he would be reporting on March 1. According to the collective bargaining agreement, players can't be forced to report prior to tomorrow, Feb. 27.

Ramirez reportedly had been attending to his sick mother, who recently underwent a surgical procedure. Reports later surfaced that Ramirez was scheduled to appear at a classic car auction this past weekend in Atlantic City. It is believed that Ramirez canceled that scheduled apearance.

Today, Ramirez joked with a handful of teammates as he sat at his locker. Through a team spokesperson, Ramirez issued word that he did not intend to answer questions from the media. Genske is scheduled to speak to reporters later this morning.

We'll have more on this story as the day goes along.

--Journal Sports Writer Sean McAdam

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:10 AM | Permalink

A new era for the Yanks?

It seems that every year, particularly given the team's recent slow starts, folks speculate if this will be the year that the Yankees fail to make the playoffs. Seattle Times writer Larry Stone has a different take: given the A-Rod-Jeter soap opera, owner Steinbrenner's advanced age and the club's embrace of younger players, maybe the old Yankee way of doing business is coming to an end.

Here's what Stone has to say about GM Brian Cashman's offseason, in which big-time free-agent signings were few (Andy Pettitte), while the club reloaded with youngsters while dumping Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson: "If he has done it right — and don't underestimate the acumen of Cashman — then the Yankees have built the foundation for another long run. If they've done it wrong, they will be forced to do damage control in their time-honored manner — by becoming the Bronx Mercenaries to an even greater extent."

Click here to read the full story.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:59 AM | Permalink

AP: Ramirez won't go to car show

Manny Ramirez will not be attending a classic car show this weekend in Atlantic City, N.J., the Associated Press reports.

The Red Sox had given Ramirez permission to report late to spring training, but as of yesterday, organizers of the Atlantic City show still expected Ramirez to attend.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:27 PM | Permalink

Matsuzaka gives arm quite a workout

Starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is bringing a whole different training mentality to Fort Myers.

Today, in just his third bullpen session since joining the team, the right-hander from Japan threw a staggering 103 pitches, without any sign of discomfort. It's uncommon for a starter to throw 100 pitches even at the end of spring training, let alone in February.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Epstein, Schilling address contract situation

In the last hour, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and pitcher Curt Schilling spoke to the media about the Red Sox' decision not to offer Schilling a new contract before the start of the 2007 season.

Epstein was asked how Schilling's age (40) played into the club's thinking.

Here's what he said: "Age was a pretty important factor in the determination. I know he's disappointed, but it won't affect his preparation or performance one bit. It just didn't make sense for us, from a business point of view, to enter into a guaranteed contract for 2008.

It doesn't change how we feel about Curt. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Curt. Always have, always will. It doesn't change things for the organization. He's our number one; he's our opening day starter. We can't be any happier about that, and it doesn't mean we don't want him back."

Schilling: "I'm human. It's disappointing. But it's a business decision. I get that. I have to accept that."

Schilling was asked what he thought about age being a factor in the decision.

"It doesn't matter what I think about it. It's a reason for them; I have to accept it. ... I will file for free agency. They know that. I'll consider anything at that point."

Schilling said his contract status will not be a distraction for him this season, because "I won't let it." He also said he would not use the situation as motivation: "I don't need any extra motivation."

-Journal Sports Writer Steven Krasner

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:19 PM | Permalink

Sox won’t offer Schilling contract until after season

Curt Schilling, speaking as he often does on Dennis and Callahan's morning show on WEEI, said that the Red Sox would not offer him a new contract until this season is complete. At that point, the 40-year-old right-hander plans on testing the free-agent market.

Schilling announced on the same radio program last month that he had changed his plans to retire at the end of the 2007 season. He later said that he hoped the Red Sox would offer him a new contract before the season started.

Schilling will make $13 million this year. He indicated that he would be willing to return to Boston next year for the same amount.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments 2

Damon turns up heat on Red Sox

The headline in today's New York Daily News is certainly provokative: "Damon calls Red Sox idiots."

And while Damon does not go nearly that far in criticizing his old club's failure to re-sign him after the 2005 season, he does throw some salt on the wounds that Sox fans suffered watching their once-beloved center fielder prosper in New York.

He says he thinks the Red Sox had the money to sign him, that he's happier because of his move to the Bronx, and that he was "probably the only guy who never begged (the Sox) to sign me."

Click here to read the full story.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:16 AM | Permalink

Sox may open in Japan in 2008 or ’09

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There is nothing official just yet, but Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said Tuesday that the possibility exists that Boston will open its season in Japan either in 2008 or 2009.

There is interest in the Red Sox in Japan, of course, after Boston signed former Japanese League pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima over the winter.

''It’s a little early to talk about it, but Major League Baseball is very interested in expanding what it does internationally,'' said Lucchino, speaking to the Japanese media after Tuesday’s pitchers-and-catchers workout at the team’s minor-league complex.

''One thing they have talked to us about is the possibility of playing in Japan. We would look forward to that. We would love to have that opportunity,'' said Lucchino.

''It would be a tremendous honor,'' added Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.

-- STEVEN KRASNER

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:37 PM | Permalink

Papelbon back to pen?

The Boston Globe reported today on its Web site that Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, in an interview with Globe reporter Gordon Edes that will appear on NESN Wednesday night, hinted that Jonathan Papelbon could return to his role as the team's closer.

Papelbon, who had an outstanding year in relief in 2006, suffered a subluxation of the right shoulder last Sept. 1, which forced him to miss the last month of the season and prompted the Sox to move him back into the starting rotation. Papelbon spent the winter doing a series of shoulder-strengthening exercises, and if the team is convinced he would remain healthy while pitching relief, it's conceivable Papelbon could be put back in the bullpen.

Manager Terry Francona is on record as saying he would prefer Papelbon to pitch in relief, but would defer to the team's medical staff on the subject.

The Sox currently have no closer and planned to look at numerous pitchers, including former Seattle starter Joel Piniero, during spring training in an attempt to find one.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:30 PM | Permalink

El Guapo back in New England

The Nashua Pride announced today that they have signed portly former Red Sox reliever Rich Garces to pitch for them in the independent Can-Am League.

Garces was an effective set-up man for the Jimy Williams-managed Red Sox of the late 1990s and early this decade, until his career completely came apart during the 2002 season. He re-signed with the team in 2005, but never made it back to the big leagues. Known to Sox fandom as "El Guap," (Spanish for "the Handsome One"), the 6-foot-tall Garces pitched at a weight of about 275 pounds during his last effective season, in 2001.

Click here to read the Nashua press release, complete with quotes from former Sox player and manager Butch Hobson, who now manages the Pride.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:17 AM | Permalink

Teammate says Ramirez will report late

Manny Ramirez won't report to spring training until March 1, according to friend and teammate Julian Tavarez, who spoke today to Journal reporter Steve Krasner. The mandatory reporting date is Feb. 27.

Tavarez, who has been a friend since Ramirez was a teenager, said that the slugging left-fielder's mother had had a health scare.

There has been much speculation about what Ramirez's attitude will be when he does arrive in camp. Ramirez missed most of the final month of last season, then reportedly asked yet again to be traded in the offseason. The club tried to accommodate him, but but never received a suitable offer.

Tavarez says that, whenever Ramirez reports, he will still be an offensive machine once the season gets started. Ramirez needs 30 home runs this year to reach 500 for his career.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments 2

Sox reach new deal with Wily Mo Pena

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - The Boston Red Sox and outfielder Wily Mo Pena reached agreement on a one-year contract shortly before they were to go to arbitration on Friday.

Details of the one-year deal were not announced. Pena, who earned $1.25 million last year, asked for $2.2 million while the team offered $1,725,000. The agreement avoided an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday in Phoenix.

"We certainly weren't afraid to go" to the hearing, general manager Theo Epstein said, but "both sides are satisfied."

The Red Sox have not had an arbitration hearing since Epstein took over as general manager in 2003.

Pena, obtained from Cincinnati for pitcher Bronson Arroyo last March 20, is the fourth outfielder on Boston but can play all three positions.

"There are plenty of plate appearances" for an extra outfielder that can play all the spots, Epstein said, "and Wily Mo is going to scoop all those up."

Last season, Pena hit .301 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 84 games but was hindered by a wrist injury.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:24 PM | Permalink

Fouke throws in the towel

As it turns out, Keith Foulke apparently threw his last major-league pitch in a Boston Red Sox uniform.

The right-handed reliever, who was brilliant in the 2004 World Series run before falling into mediocrity or worse due to injury-plagued '05 and '06 seasons, had signed to play for the Cleveland Indians this season.

But according to a report on ESPN, he has decided to retire because of persistent pain in his elbow.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:20 AM | Permalink

Matsuzaka charms media in first press conference

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- If the obvious winning personality expensive new Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka displayed yesterday in a press conference at the team's City of Palms Park matches his performances on the mound, the right-hander from Japan will prove to be a bargain even at the hefty $103.1-million it cost the organization to secure his services for the next six years.

Matsuzaka, smiling frequently and appearing calm as he sat on a chair at a table on top of the Red Sox' dugout, faced 120 credentialed media from Japan and dozens more from this country. The 26-year-old showed a sense of humor, confidence and even a touch of mischievousness through translator Sachiyo Sekiguchi in the roughly 30-minute session, which was beamed live back to Japanese TV, where it was 7 a.m.

What pitch, he was asked, would be his first one in the major leagues? He smiled at the question, which was posed in Japanese, and then quickly answered with a chuckle.

''I would like to pitch a fastball for my first pitch. I would like my first batter, if he is listening, to try not to hit the ball,'' said Matsuzaka.

Another member of the Japanese media asked him about who he would be playing catch with as the Red Sox paired off to get loose for workouts. After initially saying he likely would play catch with fellow Japanese pitcher Hideki Okajima, an impish smile spread across his face. ''I would like to play catch with all of the pitchers, particularly (Tim) Wakefield. I would like to catch his knuckleball but maybe I won't be able to catch it," he said, laughing again.

The Sox, of course, did not shell out a $51.1 million posting fee to the Seibu Lions just to talk contract with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras, and then another $52 million to sign him to a deal, for his press conference charm or sense of humor. They signed him to bolster the team's starting rotation. They signed him to continue his pitching success, which has included a 108-60 record and a 2.95 earned-run average in eight Japanese League seasons and the Most Valuable Player Award from last year's World Baseball Classic, when he pitched (3-0, 1.38 E.R.A.) Japan to the title.

Not surprisingly, as Dice-K's first official spring-training toss won't come to pass until Sunday, when the Red Sox hold their first pitchers-and-catcher workouts, there is pressure on the 6-foot, 187-pounder. But, if Matsuzaka's body language and words are any indication, it doesn't appear as if such pressure is going to faze him.

While success isn't guaranteed and while there are other adjustments Dice-K is going to have to make -- strong offensive lineups from top to bottom; pitching in a five-man rotation instead of a six-man rotation; strike zones, and the baseballs, themselves -- his poise and good humor yesterday suggests that he is comfortable with his place in a Red Sox uniform.

''I have received a lot of expectations all my life, but I always remembered the most important thing is to play ball and have fun,'' said Matsuzaka. ''I have done so and I will continue to do so and so I will meet everyone's expectations.

''The scale of the contract does not determine how I play baseball. I feel responsibility, but I am not pressured," he said.

He not only feels responsibility to the Red Sox, but also to young players back in Japan. It wasn't so long ago that he was a youngster, watching with great interest as right-hander Hideo Nomo became the first Japanese League star in his prime to play in the major leagues as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995.

''When Nomo started playing, I was in junior high. For me, who wanted to play in the big leagues some day, the first game was very shocking, very impressive. I remember it clearly. For that I will be playing my best so all young players in Japan who are dreaming of being professional can look up to me," said Dice-K.

So spring training will begin for Dice-K. His every move will be scrutinized by the large media contingent. If the extra media becomes too much for the Sox, several of whom are no fans of the media to begin with, Matsuzaka said he will apologize to any teammate who feels inconvenienced.

He says he is learning English, with communication between himself, manager Terry Francona, the coaching staff and his teammates a priority for him. He also said he wasn't going to change his style of pitching, which features fastballs high in the strike zone, and that he thought he would have an early advantage facing hitters who haven't seen him before.Matsuzaka also said that he is "more excited about" pitching for the Red Sox than pitching in last spring's World Baseball Classic.

But what about the gyro ball, the special pitch he reportedly boasts, the one that has the spin of a football spiral and downward movement? Does he really throw such a pitch? Or is it pure Matsuzaka Lore?

Again, Matsuzaka's face lit up in a smile as he pondered his response to the final question of the press conference.

''I knew that question was coming,'' said Dice-K, a mischievous look playing about his eyes. ''I was preparing optional answers for that question. Should I say I throw that ball? Or should I say, what ball are you referring to?''

And then he answered further, keeping the mystery alive.

''If I have a chance," said Matsuzaka, "I will pitch that ball."

The Red Sox can only hope that he will have the chance to use that pitch right through the World Series this season.

Posted by Art  at 7:44 PM | Permalink

Daisuke's news conference

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to speak to the media in Fort Myers at 5 today. Check back here early this evening for a synopsis of his remarks.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:39 PM | Permalink

Daisuke in camp

Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived at the Red Sox minor league complex in Fort Myers, Fla., at 12:01 this afternoon. He drove up to the Red Sox offices in a black Cadillac Escalade, and emerged wearing a sleeveless gray T-shirt, shorts and sunglasses perched atop his head. He was handed a black Adidas gym bag.

In Fort Myers to greet him were roughly 65 members of the Japanese media, another 25 to 30 American media members, and about 10 TV cameras.

As expected, Matsuzaka had nothing to say upon arrival.

At about 12:32, he left the clubhouse for his first look at the complex. He stretched and played long toss for about 15 minutes with catcher George Kottaras. The media was shooed away in the middle of the long-toss session.

He'll address the media on Thursday at 5 p.m.

- Journal Sports Writer Steve Krasner

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:16 PM | Permalink

Mitt channeling Sox energy?

Just moments ago, as a crowd in Dearborn, Mich., waited for Mitt Romney to formally announce his candidacy for president of the United States, the choice of music conjured Romney's home state of Massachusetts.

Yes, that was "Sweet Caroline," the anthem of summer nights at Fenway, drifting down from the loudspeakers.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:10 AM | Permalink

ESPN likes Sox' rotation best

ESPN The Magazine gives the Red Sox the nod for best starting rotation in all of baseball.

In a story by Tim Kurkjian, the magazine says that there is no dominant rotation in the big leagues heading into this season, and acknowledges that the Red Sox have a lot of questions, beginning with just how good Daisuke Matsuzaka will turn out to be.

But Kurkjian notes that the club has four potential aces in the fold now -- Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon -- with the possibility of adding a fifth should Roger Clemens decide to return to Boston.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:14 PM | Permalink

Orsillo signs multiyear contract extension with NESN

Don Orsillo, the voice of the Red Sox on NESN since 2001, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the cable network and will continue as the main play-by-play announcer on the team's television broadcasts.

''Don has established himself as one of the best announcers in the game and an important part of our award winning Red Sox broadcast team,'' said NESN president Sean McGrail. ''We are thrilled that Don has agreed to continue with NESN and look forward to more of the outstanding play-by-play that Red Sox Nation has come to expect.''

Orsillo, who was the Pawtucket Red Sox' main announcer before joining NESN, has won two New England Emmy Awards for sports play-by-play and was named the 2005 Massachusetts sportscaster of the year.

Posted by Art Martone  at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Mirabelli's odd contract incentive

Philadelphia Daily News sports writer Paul Hagen has some interesting stuff on Doug Mirabelli's new deal with the Red Sox.

According to Hagen's report today, the knuckleball-catching specialist can make $150,000 on top of his $750,000 base salary if he stays in good shape.

Hagen also writes -- in what might not be news to many -- that the Red Sox have not truly given up on their pursuit of Todd Helton. Stay tuned.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:29 PM | Permalink

AP previews Sox spring training

BOSTON (AP) - Terry Francona has seen a lot in three years as Red Sox manager, from the team's first World Series title in 86 years to its worst finish in nine years.
Now, with spring training a few days away, he faces something completely different - learning some Japanese words.

The signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka gives Boston a potential ace and some communication hurdles. Francona knows that but figures a bigger burden will fall on new pitching coach John Farrell, who must work with Matsuzaka between games, and catcher Jason Varitek, who must chat with him during games.

There's little need for discussion when Francona goes to the mound.
"When I go out there," Francona said, "he's coming out."

Francona said he's told Matsuzaka that he's aware of some cultural differences.
But as far as pitching differences, the Red Sox don't want Matsuzaka to change just because he's changing countries.

"The most important thing for Dice-K and for us will be for him to approach pitching as he did in Japan and for us not to make changes because he's in the United States," Farrell said.

Farrell and Francona will see Matsuzaka in Fort Myers, Fla., where pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training next Friday with the first workout two days later. Matsuzaka is expected at the training complex early next week to work out on his own.

Matsuzaka was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic last March and reached a six-year, $52 million contract agreement with Boston after the team's $51.11 million bid, paid to the Seibu Lions, trumped others for the right to negotiate with him.

"This is a very engaging person. He's a competitor. He's very talented," Farrell said. "Above and beyond his physical abilities, he draws to the stage and the attention. He functions very well in that environment. The calmness and the mound presence he shows is outstanding."

Jonathan Papelbon showed that last season when he saved 35 games as a rookie.
His move to the rotation this year and the search for a new closer are among the key issues facing Francona. The closer probably will come from among right-handers Brendan Donnelly, Joel Pineiro, Julian Tavarez and Mike Timlin.

Francona also will get his first extended look at two newcomers - Julio Lugo, the shortstop and leadoff hitter, and J.D. Drew, the rightfielder expected to hit fifth - who should make a lineup featuring David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez even stronger. Ortiz hit a franchise-record 54 homers and led the AL with 137 RBIs.

And then there's the annual mystery surrounding Ramirez. He's wanted to be traded many times in his six years with Boston, the latest after last season. But he still figures to be the opening day leftfielder.

"I think he's OK," Francona said. "I don't think there's any problem."
Position players are due in camp Feb. 22 with the first full squad workout two days later. Ramirez reported March 1 last year after the Red Sox gave him permission to report six days after the date the team set for position players.

He played only 11 games in the last six weeks last season while Boston slipped out of the AL East race. The Red Sox led the division by one game on July 31 then went 9-21 in August to drop eight games behind. They finished third, the first time in nine years the New York Yankees and Red Sox didn't end up 1-2. Just two years earlier, the Red Sox won the World Series in Francona's first season.

Ramirez was diagnosed with right knee tendinitis in August but hit .321 with 35 homers and 102 RBIs. With Drew batting behind him, pitchers should be less likely to pitch around Ramirez in the cleanup spot.

The Red Sox also improved their rotation, which was hit hard by injuries last season. Matsuzaka, Papelbon, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield are the five starters with Jon Lester in reserve after offseason treatment for anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

"He's cancer-free," Francona said. "He's had a traumatic winter and we have to be smart about how we handle him." Lester is scheduled to throw as much as other Red Sox pitchers in spring training, Farrell said. Matt Clement had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Sept. 26 and hasn't started throwing yet. He will be brought along slowly.

Farrell is optimistic about his staff.

"It's an extremely talented one that has a tremendous amount of arm strength," he said. "The starting rotation could be as good or better than most in the game."
Farrell still must get used to his new players and surroundings in his first season with Boston. That's not a problem for Francona as he enters his fourth season with a contract through 2008.

"I don't know that that means you're going to win," he said, "but I'm certainly more comfortable."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:20 PM | Permalink