Ortiz, Reddick Homer As Red Sox Win (1-1)

Today, the Red Sox played their second game of Spring Training, beating the Twins 7-6. Josh Reddick (right) went 1-1 with a two-run homer as he is now 1.000/1/3 this spring, as he may make a strong case to make the Opening Day roster. David Ortiz also hit a homer, his bringing in 3 runs, as he went 2-2 and is now .400/1/3. The other two RBIs belonged to Drew Sutton, who went 1-2 and is now .500/0/2. The win today went to Michael Bowden, who struck out two in a shutout 7th inning. Matt Albers got the save, as he also pitched an inning yesterday, and could run for a spot in the bullpen. Josh Beckett is also experiencing concussion-like symptoms after being hit in the head with a ball during live batting practice. I'm glad the Sox won today, and tomorrow at 1:05, we get to see Lester!

Red Sox Peel The Grapefruit... But Lose (0-1)

Last night, the Red Sox played their Grapefruit League Opener, but were toppled 4-8 by the Twins. The first two Red Sox pitchers did pretty well, Josh Beckett allowed one run in 2 innings, he is now 0-1/4.50/0, and Clay Buchholz did great, throwing a perfect 2 innings, he is 0-0/0.00/0 still however. The game all unraveled, however, when Hideki Okajima took the hill, as he allowed 4 runs in an inning, and is now 0-0/36.00/2. The Red Sox offense was silent until the 8th inning, when Lars Anderson (right) smacked one over the wall to get a rally going. Later in the inning Oscar Tejeda and Josh Reddick would drive in two more RBIs, and in the 9th, Mark Wagner got another. This game was a disappointment, but at least they are playing baseball!

Red Sox Win Nightcap In Similar Fashion

Tonight, the Sox played Northeastern University for the nightcap of their double-header, and creamed them 13-2. Jose Iglesias (right) had a great game, going 2-3 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs. Peter Hissey and Che-Hsuan Lin each had 2 RBIs, while Oscar Tejeda, David Mailman, and Alex Hassan each had 1 RBI. Starting pitcher, Kyle Weiland allowed 1 run in 2 innings, but the win went to Rich Hill, who allowed 1 run in the 4th inning, while striking out one as well. Matt Albers and Blake Maxwell each struck out two of three batters they faced, Maxwell getting the hold as well. You can't imagine how much more fun it is to be blogging about actual baseball games, and the first official Spring Training game is tomorrow night!

Red Sox Trample B.C. In Opener

Today, the Red Sox played their first Spring Training game of 2011, and even though it was against Boston College and didn't count, it's awesome. They won 6-0 in the first game of their double-header, the latter game being against Northeastern right now (0-2 NEU in the 4th right now). Kevin Youkilis (right) did awesome, going 1-1, with a three-run homer in the first to get things going. The other RBIs belong to Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson, and Alex Hassan. Stolmy Pimentel, the Red Sox starter, who got the win with 2 shutout innings with 2 strikeouts. I'm so excited the Sox are playing baseball, and their Grapefruit League opener in tomorrow night against the Twins.

Felix Doubront Out Of The Lefty Spot?

First off, I'm sorry to all my fans I haven't made more posts recently, there just has literally been nothing happening. However, this changed yesterday when Felix Doubront was sidelined for 10-14 days with tightness in his left elbow. Doubront was going to be a contender for the lefty out of the bullpen role, but it now looks to be down to just Hideki Okajima and Dennys Reyes. Last year, as a rookie, Doubront played fairly well and was a bright spot in a depressing bullpen for the Sox, going 2-2/4.32/23 in 25 innings including 2 starts. On the lighter side, this is the first thing about the Red Sox' Spring Training this year that hasn't been excellent.

Adrian Gonzalez Gets Back In The Swing Of Things

Today, Adrian Gonzalez took his first swings off a tee since his shoulder surgery in October. He was cleared to take 20 swings, which he did, and looked great, he then proceeded to take 18 more, looking great. Gonzalez is scheduled for three more days of hitting off of a tee, then he will take a day to consult his physicians, and then batting practice time! He is way ahead of schedule, as his first swings were scheduled to be on March 1st, and look at us, on February 21st. His fielding of ground balls is also looking excellent and he is way ahead of schedule and will be ready for Opening Day easily. The first game of the spring is Saturday with the Sox against Northeastern University and Boston College, the first official game in Sunday against the Twins. I am hyped up about the spring coming, and even more so about the season!

Cameron, Varitek Adjusting To Changes In Career

Two veterans on the Red Sox, Mike Cameron and Jason Varitek will be experiencing new roles in 2011. While Jason Varitek was a backup to Victor Martinez in 2010, this is only his second year that he will start the season as a backup. Varitek was injured much of the year, and in the 39 games that he played in, he went .232/7/16. Mike Cameron has never, in his 15 year career started the season as a backup, but there's a first time for everything. After his injury-riddled 2010, when he went .259/4/15 in 48 games that he was healthy, was a definite disappointment. That added to the addition of Carl Crawford and the healthy return of Jacoby Ellsbury, and he makes for a backup. However, Cameron will still see a lot of playing time, especially against lefties, as he will probably sub for J.D. Drew. Even as bench players, these guys will be essential for the Sox and I hope they execute.

Red Sox Hold First Full-Squad Workout

Today, the Red Sox held their first full squad workout of 2011, after pitchers and catchers reported nearly a week ago, and position players reported on Thursday. Carl Crawford (right) has been working out with the Sox and is looking great so far. Adrian Gonzalez is way ahead of schedule, and will be checking for clearance to swing the bat soon. All the Red Sox pitchers have been doing great and new acquisitions Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks seem excited for the upcoming season. What with the Red Sox' revamped lineup and bullpen, all Red Sox Nation is flushed with optimism for the upcoming season. And why shouldn't we be?

Position Players Officially Arrive To Spring Training

Today, Red Sox position players officially reported to Ft. Myers for Spring Training. For the first time ever in a Red Sox uniform, the power trio of Adrian Gonzalez (right), Carl Crawford, and David Ortiz are all together. Adrian Gonzalez, however, had actually been in Ft. Myers since last Wednesday, even before pitchers and catchers officially reported. Mike Cameron is happily accepting his new role as a reserve player, the first time in his career that he has been one. Also, the duo of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford are together for the first time. I am very excited for the upcoming season, and the first official team workout is on Saturday.

Red Sox Trade For Second Baseman, Tony Thomas

Today, the Red Sox traded minor league reliever Robert Coello for Cubs' second baseman Tony Thomas. Last season, at the Cubs' AA affiliate, the Tennessee Smokies, Thomas went .276/11/73, as he did pretty well. This was Thomas's best season as it looks like he is improving, as in 2009 was also his best season so far. Robert Coello, on the other hand, went 3-5/4.22/79 with the Red Sox' AAA affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox last year. I would guess that the Sox would try to groom Thomas into a shortstop or a third baseman, as they have Dustin Pedroia at second base. This move probably isn't going to effect the Red Sox, at least this season, although it may in a few years.

Pitchers and Catchers Reporting For Duty

This morning, every pitcher and catcher that the Red Sox have invited to Spring Training was there as this is the second big event towards the season (the first was truck day). Many Red Sox were already there actually, as the entire starting rotation was already at Ft. Myers and much of the bullpen. However, today was the day that big offseason acquisitions Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler arrived to camp. Josh Beckett (right), John Lackey, and Daisuke Matsuzaka have all had great offseasons, according to Terry Francona. They all had rough years in 2010 and look to want to turn it around in 2011, and I think they will. I'm so excited, poisition players report Thursday, the 17th!

Red Sox Sign Former Japanese Rookie Of The Year

The Red Sox are very close to agreeing on a deal with Japanese pitcher, Itsuki Shoda. Shoda won the Rookie Of the Year Award way back in 2002 with the Nippon Ham Fighters, going 9-11/3.45/90 in 23 games. However, he has never been able to replicate his success since that season until he moved to the Sinon Bulls, in Taiwan before the 2009 season. The level of play is worse in Taiwan, but he has done well there, going 11-5/2.81/116 in 32 games last year and 14-6/4.44/115 in 2009. He will be the fourth Japanese pitcher on the Red Sox, along with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, and Junichi Tazawa. I hope he does well for the Sox even though we probably will not see him a lot, if at all.

Red Sox Arriving To Camp All Over

There are many Red Sox players who have been motivated to come to camp early this year as opposed to only a few last year. This players include four of five members of the starting rotation (Beckett, Lackey, Lester, and Matsuzaka), the core of the bullpen (Daniel Bard (right) and Jonathan Papelbon), the corner infield (Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis), and oh, so many prospects. Daniel Bard is very excited about the additions to the bullpen, especially Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler. Adrian Gonzalez seems to be progressing ahead of schedule with his shoulder, and he has a date with the batting cage on March 1, he thinks he will be ready for Opening Day. I am more excited than ever about the upcoming season!

Red Sox Sign Alfredo Aceves

Today, the Red Sox signed former Yankees reliever Alfredo Aceves. In 2010, he injured his back and was limited to 10 games in which he went 3-0/3.00/2, however he had a great year in 2009, going 10-1/3.54/69. The Sox will have a very crowded bullpen this year, as it is a major league deal worth $650,000, however if he goes back down to the minor leagues it is only worth $250,000. Aceves will probably compete with Scott Atchison for that righty middle reliever spot. Today was also Truck Day for the Red Sox, meaning the truck with all the Red Sox' equipment is going down to Florida. Both Aceves and the truck going down to Florida are great things for the Sox.

Red Sox Interested In Former Yankee, Aceves

The Red Sox have shown interest in free agent reliever, Alfredo Aceves. Aceves has played for the Yankees the past three seasons before getting non-tendered last season after a back injury. Aceves was limited to 10 games last year, going 3-0/3.00/2. However, Aceves had a fantastic season in 2009, going 10-1/3.54/69 in 43 games, as a big part of that '09 championship team for the Yankees. Also, in those 43 games, he threw 84 innings, meaning he can throw about two innings out of the bullpen if he has to. This would be a good move that could help the Red Sox a lot, in the very least, for depth, however, I don't really see it happening.

Another Option For Lefty Reliever

Last night, the Red Sox signed left-handed reliever, Dennys Reyes to a minor league contract. Last year, Reyes went 3-1/3.55/25 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He will be 33 years old on Opening Day, so even though the details of the contract are unknown, I would guess it's a one year deal, most minor league deals are. It appears now that the Red Sox have added another lefty into the mix for that position. He actually seems like a better option than Hideki Okajima to me, seeing as in every year since 2005, he has had better stats than Okajima had last year. He also had a monster year in 2006 with the Twins, going 5-0/0.89/49. I think this will wind up being a good pickup for the Red Sox, and I think he is a good option for the lefty out of the 'pen spot.

The Second Birthday Of Sox.Rox

Today is the second birthday of Sox.Rox, and it seems like just yesterday I was in Dick's Sporting Goods and told my dad I wanted to start a blog about the Red Sox. Two full seasons and offseasons of Red Sox coverage, and in June 2010, I made a record 33 blog posts. The one complaint I have, that I hope to change this year, is that I have never blogged a playoff win, the Sox got swept in the ALDS by the Angels in '09, and they didn't make the playoffs last year. But what with Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez coming to Boston, along with the great core of players they have, I am filled with optimism. I hope for another great year for the Red Sox, and for Sox.Rox!

Red Sox Announce Non-Roster Invitees

Today, the Red Sox announced 4 minor league free agent signings, and the 20 non-roster invitees to Spring Training. The four minor league free agents are Paul Hoover, Tony Pena Jr. (right), Matt Fox, and Hector Luna. Pena is an interesting story as he was the Royals' starting shortstop in 2007 and 2008, but has switched to relief pitcher. The 20 invitees are pitchers Rich Hill, Andrew Miller, Randy Williams, Jason Bergmann, and Brandon Duckworth, Matt Fox, Tony Pena Jr., Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz, Kyle Weiland, and Alex Wilson. The position players include Tim Federowicz, Paul Hoover, Ryan Lavarnway, Brent Dlugach, Hector Luna, Nate Spears, Drew Sutton, Che-Hsuan Lin, and Juan Carlos Linares. I am excited for Spring Training, and 14 of these players will be reporting on February 14th.

Red Sox Improve Catching Depth

Yesterday, the Red Sox signed 34 year old minor league catcher, Paul Hoover. Last year, in 9 games with the Phillies, he went .227/0/2, as his best season came in... I don't really know, they're all pretty bad, as he's never hit a home run in his career, and his career high in RBIs are two. The deal is just a minor league deal, and I'd personally be surprised if it's more than 6 digits. Mark Wagner and Luis Exposito will be the main catchers at AAA Pawtucket this year, so maybe he will go to AA Portland. Also, just a reminder, tomorrow is Sox.Rox's 2nd birthday, I hope you come leave a comment. Back to the point, this move won't really effect the Red Sox much unless they are ravaged by injuries again.