A path to change for the Red Sox.
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The signs of change in Red Sox camp started on the sidewalk -- damp from Thursday morning showers -- which leads from the players' parking lot to the clubhouse. Somebody who didn't look like John Lackey strolled down that path and then you realized: Wow, that's John Lackey.
He looks so thin, from his offseason regimen, that he could be a body double for Jered Weaver. He looks so thin that Dustin Pedroia, as impolitic and blunt as ever, jokingly asked him if he had contracted a life-threatening disease in the offseason.
But there was more change, when Shane Victorino walked in, filling the room with energy; and one of the guys housed next to Victorino's locker is Jonny Gomes.
Pieces of the greatest change, however, could be seen on the apron of the indoor batting cages, where the Red Sox worked out. Manager John Farrell moved back and forth, breezily talking with his coaches, with players, with front-office personnel. Some of the folks in the organization noted that shift immediately the other day, when Farrell interacted with general manager Ben Cherington. There was a comfort level and a trust that simply was never there last spring, when Bobby Valentine was in the room and Cherington was in his first year on the job with a manager who probably wasn't his first choice.
Pedroia and others have been careful to say, without equivocation, that Boston's shocking 69-win season wasn't Valentine's fault, and that the players are responsible for the pitching and the hitting and the fielding, and in the end, for the victories and defeats. But no matter how they got there, you cannot overstate how dysfunctional the Red Sox were last year -- just as now, you cannot overstate how excited they are to get back to doing what they love to do.
Nobody should overreact to bullpen sessions -- heck, some general managers find them so worthless that they don't even bother watching -- but the word is Lackey is driving the ball down in the strike zone in a way that he hadn't in recent seasons. He feels the difference in his arm, with the extension.
Jon Lester has a good competitive chip on his shoulder, and it shows, some of the Red Sox say. Andrew Bailey is said to be throwing really well here, and the same can be said for Daniel Bard, who has lowered his arm angle slightly, to get back to where he was in 2011.
David Ross caught Junichi Tazawa, who was maybe the best thing that emerged from the wreckage of 2012, and came away in awe of his splitter, thinking that perhaps it is of the same quality thrown by Kevin Brown and Tim Hudson, the two best he has ever caught.
The Red Sox staffers have talked in their conversations about how, in a more stable environment, the team could have a wipeout bullpen, with Tazawa, Bailey and Bard working from the right side in front of closer Joel Hanrahan, and Andrew Miller, Franklin Morales and Craig Breslow working from the left side. Much more production is needed from the rotation, of course, which ranked 27th in ERA last season at 5.19.
But if there is change, it will all start on that sidewalk leading to the spring training clubhouse, because the Red Sox players seem much more enthused about going to work, and their workplace.
Elsewhere
• John Lackey looks to rebound, writes Tim Britton.
• Larry Lucchino labeled the Red Sox as scrappy underdogs, but that doesn't fly, writes Steve Buckley. The Red Sox foresee an end to the sellout streak.
• WARNING: WHAT FOLLOWS IS COMPLETE SPECULATION: Chipper Jones is returning to the Braves' camp today. You can take this and book it: If the Braves' third basemen, Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson, struggle in the first half of the season, there will be a conversation about whether Chipper might come back. Chipper said last year that he had learned that he can't play every day any more, but there were stretches of last season when he was the Braves' best hitter; last year, he was still a really good hitter, posting a .377 on-base percentage.
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Kevin Liles/US Presswire
So, you sure about that?
Francisco had a nice run in winter ball, but he came into camp probably a little heavier than the Braves would've liked, and Johnson can hit for power but can get into stretches, scouts say, when he makes mistakes.
The fact that he's coming back so early in spring training, and is scheduled to be around for a few days, will probably only whet Jones' appetite. Remember how that worked with Andy Pettitte last year? He came into the Yankees' camp, threw some batting practice and immediately started talking about a comeback.
Chipper insisted last year that he was absolutely ready to move on, and maybe he's still in that frame of mind. If Johnson and Francisco put up big numbers, there really won't be a reason for anyone to wonder if Jones might come back.
But if third base becomes a black hole of production, Chipper might welcome the opportunity to talk, in June, about another half-season and a run at another championship.
We'll see.
• The Cubs want more night games.
• Mike Matheny and John Mozeliak got contract extensions, and Matheny wants to get better.
Moves, deals and decisions
1. The Pirates signed Brandon Inge.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury referred questions about his future to his agent. So, he'll hit the market.
3. Ron Roenicke is pleased that Norichika Aoki is skipping the WBC.
4. The Rockies traded for Reid Brignac.
Dings and dents
1. Grant Balfour had knee surgery. Oakland fully expects him to be ready at the start of the season.
2. It's so far, so good for John Danks, after his first mound session.
3. J.A. Happ is back up to speed after breaking his foot.
The fight for jobs
1. Domonic Brown is getting another shot, writes Bob Brookover.
2. Jason Grilli is ready to step into the Pirates' closer job.
3. David Phelps and Ivan Nova are fighting for a spot, as Pete Caldera writes. I'd bet that Phelps is going to play a really important role on this staff.
4. Logan Schafer is in a good spot to win a job, writes Tom Haudricourt.
5. Jim Leyland say he's broken-hearted that Jose Valverde doesn't have a job.
6. Leyland wants to see his options at closer.
7. Julio Borbon has one last chance with the Rangers, writes Jeff Wilson.
NL West
• Carlos Quentin is getting back in the swing, writes Bill Center.
• One of the Giants likes karaoke.
• Carl Crawford had a tough run in Boston.
• Willie Bloomquist is back in the game.
• Walt Weiss is sure to put his stamp on the Rockies, writes Troy Renck.
NL Central
• A.J. Burnett is hoping for an encore performance, writes Rob Biertempfel.
• The Cubs are excited about their new complex, writes Paul Sullivan.
• Billy Hamilton will be one of the most watched players in the Reds' camp.
NL East
• Drew Storen wants the ball after his failure in Game 5 last year, writes Adam Kilgore.
• The Nationals are on a mission, writes Thomas Boswell.
• Ryan Howard says the window is still open for the Phillies, as Jim Salisbury writes.
• Travis D'Arnaud is getting ready for what figures to be his first season in the big leagues.
• Chris Coghlan doesn't want to be known as a flameout, writes Clark Spencer.
• Giancarlo Stanton could have his resolve tested.
• Hank Aaron hated to lose Martin Prado.
AL West
• As manager Bo Porter looks for change, the Astros have a winning handshake.
• The Mariners have added a guy with a sinker and a history of pets.
• Joe Nathan is going to save bullets for the season, writes Evan Grant.
• The key to the Angels' lineup might be who bats second, writes Mike DiGiovanna.
• Albert Pujols is not rushing in his return from knee surgery.
AL Central
• Mike Pelfrey is excited to get back out on the mound.
• Jason Giambi got rave reviews from Terry Francona.
• Torii Hunter is fitting right in.
• Eric Hosmer is hoping that a quieter approach at the plate helps.
AL East
• Mark Hendrickson hopes to rejuvenate his career.
• Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are preparing for a crucial season in their respective careers, as Tyler Kepner writes. The Yankees are keeping a close eye on Michael Pineda, writes Joel Sherman. He weighs 20 pounds less than when he reported last year.
• R.A. Dickey doesn't want to feel entitled, writes Ken Fidlin.
• Wil Myers impressed folks with his first batting practice session. From Marc Topkin's story:
"It's impressive," hitting coach Derek Shelton said. "And I think the thing that's the most impressive is the bat speed ... and the way the ball comes off his bat. You can see it not only when he's hitting on the field, but even off a tee. You don't see very many people that generate that much bat speed. First day, it's exciting to see."
Also, apparently, to hear.
"It's a different sound," Shelton said. "It's loud. You don't hear many guys that can create that sound, and he's definitely creating it."
Shelton watched from behind the cage, where a half-dozen top Rays officials just happened to flock from different sides of the training complex as the 6-foot-3, 190-pound 22-year-old -- so excited he didn't sleep much Wednesday -- grabbed his 34-inch MaxBat and showed off.
"I had some nerves when I first stepped in," Myers said. "But I think it went well."
He looks so thin, from his offseason regimen, that he could be a body double for Jered Weaver. He looks so thin that Dustin Pedroia, as impolitic and blunt as ever, jokingly asked him if he had contracted a life-threatening disease in the offseason.
But there was more change, when Shane Victorino walked in, filling the room with energy; and one of the guys housed next to Victorino's locker is Jonny Gomes.
Pieces of the greatest change, however, could be seen on the apron of the indoor batting cages, where the Red Sox worked out. Manager John Farrell moved back and forth, breezily talking with his coaches, with players, with front-office personnel. Some of the folks in the organization noted that shift immediately the other day, when Farrell interacted with general manager Ben Cherington. There was a comfort level and a trust that simply was never there last spring, when Bobby Valentine was in the room and Cherington was in his first year on the job with a manager who probably wasn't his first choice.
Pedroia and others have been careful to say, without equivocation, that Boston's shocking 69-win season wasn't Valentine's fault, and that the players are responsible for the pitching and the hitting and the fielding, and in the end, for the victories and defeats. But no matter how they got there, you cannot overstate how dysfunctional the Red Sox were last year -- just as now, you cannot overstate how excited they are to get back to doing what they love to do.
Nobody should overreact to bullpen sessions -- heck, some general managers find them so worthless that they don't even bother watching -- but the word is Lackey is driving the ball down in the strike zone in a way that he hadn't in recent seasons. He feels the difference in his arm, with the extension.
Jon Lester has a good competitive chip on his shoulder, and it shows, some of the Red Sox say. Andrew Bailey is said to be throwing really well here, and the same can be said for Daniel Bard, who has lowered his arm angle slightly, to get back to where he was in 2011.
David Ross caught Junichi Tazawa, who was maybe the best thing that emerged from the wreckage of 2012, and came away in awe of his splitter, thinking that perhaps it is of the same quality thrown by Kevin Brown and Tim Hudson, the two best he has ever caught.
The Red Sox staffers have talked in their conversations about how, in a more stable environment, the team could have a wipeout bullpen, with Tazawa, Bailey and Bard working from the right side in front of closer Joel Hanrahan, and Andrew Miller, Franklin Morales and Craig Breslow working from the left side. Much more production is needed from the rotation, of course, which ranked 27th in ERA last season at 5.19.
But if there is change, it will all start on that sidewalk leading to the spring training clubhouse, because the Red Sox players seem much more enthused about going to work, and their workplace.
Elsewhere
• John Lackey looks to rebound, writes Tim Britton.
• Larry Lucchino labeled the Red Sox as scrappy underdogs, but that doesn't fly, writes Steve Buckley. The Red Sox foresee an end to the sellout streak.
• WARNING: WHAT FOLLOWS IS COMPLETE SPECULATION: Chipper Jones is returning to the Braves' camp today. You can take this and book it: If the Braves' third basemen, Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson, struggle in the first half of the season, there will be a conversation about whether Chipper might come back. Chipper said last year that he had learned that he can't play every day any more, but there were stretches of last season when he was the Braves' best hitter; last year, he was still a really good hitter, posting a .377 on-base percentage.
[+] Enlarge
Kevin Liles/US Presswire
So, you sure about that?
Francisco had a nice run in winter ball, but he came into camp probably a little heavier than the Braves would've liked, and Johnson can hit for power but can get into stretches, scouts say, when he makes mistakes.
The fact that he's coming back so early in spring training, and is scheduled to be around for a few days, will probably only whet Jones' appetite. Remember how that worked with Andy Pettitte last year? He came into the Yankees' camp, threw some batting practice and immediately started talking about a comeback.
Chipper insisted last year that he was absolutely ready to move on, and maybe he's still in that frame of mind. If Johnson and Francisco put up big numbers, there really won't be a reason for anyone to wonder if Jones might come back.
But if third base becomes a black hole of production, Chipper might welcome the opportunity to talk, in June, about another half-season and a run at another championship.
We'll see.
• The Cubs want more night games.
• Mike Matheny and John Mozeliak got contract extensions, and Matheny wants to get better.
Moves, deals and decisions
1. The Pirates signed Brandon Inge.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury referred questions about his future to his agent. So, he'll hit the market.
3. Ron Roenicke is pleased that Norichika Aoki is skipping the WBC.
4. The Rockies traded for Reid Brignac.
Dings and dents
1. Grant Balfour had knee surgery. Oakland fully expects him to be ready at the start of the season.
2. It's so far, so good for John Danks, after his first mound session.
3. J.A. Happ is back up to speed after breaking his foot.
The fight for jobs
1. Domonic Brown is getting another shot, writes Bob Brookover.
2. Jason Grilli is ready to step into the Pirates' closer job.
3. David Phelps and Ivan Nova are fighting for a spot, as Pete Caldera writes. I'd bet that Phelps is going to play a really important role on this staff.
4. Logan Schafer is in a good spot to win a job, writes Tom Haudricourt.
5. Jim Leyland say he's broken-hearted that Jose Valverde doesn't have a job.
6. Leyland wants to see his options at closer.
7. Julio Borbon has one last chance with the Rangers, writes Jeff Wilson.
NL West
• Carlos Quentin is getting back in the swing, writes Bill Center.
• One of the Giants likes karaoke.
• Carl Crawford had a tough run in Boston.
• Willie Bloomquist is back in the game.
• Walt Weiss is sure to put his stamp on the Rockies, writes Troy Renck.
NL Central
• A.J. Burnett is hoping for an encore performance, writes Rob Biertempfel.
• The Cubs are excited about their new complex, writes Paul Sullivan.
• Billy Hamilton will be one of the most watched players in the Reds' camp.
NL East
• Drew Storen wants the ball after his failure in Game 5 last year, writes Adam Kilgore.
• The Nationals are on a mission, writes Thomas Boswell.
• Ryan Howard says the window is still open for the Phillies, as Jim Salisbury writes.
• Travis D'Arnaud is getting ready for what figures to be his first season in the big leagues.
• Chris Coghlan doesn't want to be known as a flameout, writes Clark Spencer.
• Giancarlo Stanton could have his resolve tested.
• Hank Aaron hated to lose Martin Prado.
AL West
• As manager Bo Porter looks for change, the Astros have a winning handshake.
• The Mariners have added a guy with a sinker and a history of pets.
• Joe Nathan is going to save bullets for the season, writes Evan Grant.
• The key to the Angels' lineup might be who bats second, writes Mike DiGiovanna.
• Albert Pujols is not rushing in his return from knee surgery.
AL Central
• Mike Pelfrey is excited to get back out on the mound.
• Jason Giambi got rave reviews from Terry Francona.
• Torii Hunter is fitting right in.
• Eric Hosmer is hoping that a quieter approach at the plate helps.
AL East
• Mark Hendrickson hopes to rejuvenate his career.
• Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are preparing for a crucial season in their respective careers, as Tyler Kepner writes. The Yankees are keeping a close eye on Michael Pineda, writes Joel Sherman. He weighs 20 pounds less than when he reported last year.
• R.A. Dickey doesn't want to feel entitled, writes Ken Fidlin.
• Wil Myers impressed folks with his first batting practice session. From Marc Topkin's story:
"It's impressive," hitting coach Derek Shelton said. "And I think the thing that's the most impressive is the bat speed ... and the way the ball comes off his bat. You can see it not only when he's hitting on the field, but even off a tee. You don't see very many people that generate that much bat speed. First day, it's exciting to see."
Also, apparently, to hear.
"It's a different sound," Shelton said. "It's loud. You don't hear many guys that can create that sound, and he's definitely creating it."
Shelton watched from behind the cage, where a half-dozen top Rays officials just happened to flock from different sides of the training complex as the 6-foot-3, 190-pound 22-year-old -- so excited he didn't sleep much Wednesday -- grabbed his 34-inch MaxBat and showed off.
"I had some nerves when I first stepped in," Myers said. "But I think it went well."