Adrian checks in to Boston’s spring camp

Adrian Gonzalez was early to camp, and the Red Sox’s new first baseman is hopeful his right shoulder will be early to heal.

Wearing a Red Sox T-shirt and navy shorts in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday, Gonzalez became the club’s first Major League position player to report to Spring Training — more than a week early. Position players aren’t due until Feb. 17.

Gonzalez took part in an on-field workout and said he’s able to do everything except hit, a product of an October procedure that cleaned out the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder.

“[I'm] looking forward to getting healthy here in the spring, getting some at-bats,” Gonzalez said to a small group of reporters. “I’m taking ground balls, pretty much the full workout other than the hitting. Like I’ve said all along, I’m very excited about playing on this team and for this organization, but I got to focus on just being ready personally.”

Gonzalez could start hitting sooner than expected. He’s pleased with his range of motion, and a March 1 target date for him to start swinging the bat could be moved up, pending a doctor’s approval.

“I’m good,” said Gonzalez. “I just need to go see the doctor and get clearance to hit. I’ll probably get that in the next couple of weeks and see where it goes from there.”

Things won’t be rushed, though. The 28-year-old came over from the Padres this offseason at the cost of three top prospects, and Boston is preparing a heavy financial investment in him, as well.

A long-term extension for Gonzalez, which in December was reported to be a seven-year, $154 million deal, is already thought to be agreed upon, but it hasn’t been officially inked.

Gonzalez maintained that he’s in no rush.

By holding off on an extension through Spring Training, Boston gets to see if Gonzalez is healthy, and by waiting until after Opening Day to sign the deal, the Red Sox prevent his salary from counting toward this year’s luxury tax.

Waiting doesn’t seem to be a problem for Gonzalez, who hasn’t followed Albert Pujols’ example with the Cardinals and set a deadline.

“No, we don’t have any deadline or anything like that,” Gonzalez said. “When I’m healthy and they see that I’m healthy and we all decide it’s time to sit down and talk about something like that, we’ll do that at that point. There’s no rush for anything at this point. I think the main rush for me is just to get healthy.”

According to The Boston Globe, John Boggs, Gonzalez’s agent, isn’t scheduled to arrive in Fort Myers until March 8. Negotiations were intense in December, and they briefly caused the trade to fall apart. But with progress established by the time the trade went through, the two sides are expected to resume discussions — ostensibly for the first time since December — during Spring Training.

Gonzalez is thrilled to begin the next chapter of his career.

“Very excited,” Gonzalez said. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to since the trade was made. I’m here now. It’s time to put the emotion aside and get to work and do what I do.”

Pitchers and catchers are due to report to the Red Sox’s training facility on Sunday, though several players have already checked in, including Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Gonzalez.

source: redsox.com

Red Sox Made Multiple Trade Offers for Blue Jays Outfielder Jose Bautista

Apparently, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was insistent that he and the Sox would leave no stone unturned this offseason.

According to FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal, Boston’s wild offseason included “multiple offers” to try and trade for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista. Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox targeted Bautista at the winter meetings after missing out on Jayson Werth (who signed with the Nationals) and before agreeing to a seven-year deal with Carl Crawford.

Bautista, who exploded during the 2010 season hitting a major-league-best 54 home runs, has one year of arbitration left before he can become a free agent.

Red Sox Eager to See Carl Crawford Take Over Fenway Park’s Legendary Left Field

“You want to be a part of that.”

When Carl Crawford uttered those words earlier this month while being introduced to Boston media and responding to a question regarding his new set of teammates, he was not dissing Tampa Bay, the organization which gave him his start and allowed him to rise to stardom. But it was impossible for him to glance at the roster in Boston, one which now included the speed demon, and have any other kind of reaction.

Crawford had several trying years with the Rays and a few in which he finally tasted success. The last three years saw the organization trump the venerable Red Sox — Tampa Bay won two of the last three American League East Division titles and defeated Boston in the 2008 American League Championship Series.

But if you are a free agent bent on making a move that will define your career, comparing the two is like apples and oranges. When Crawford dreamt up hitting behind Dustin Pedroia and in front of Adrian Gonzalez at Fenway Park, as opposed to whatever would surround him in 2011 at Tropicana Field, he had to shake his head at the prospect of such an upgrade.

While nobody expects Gonzalez to struggle in a Red Sox uniform, there does figure to be an adjustment period. Crawford, meanwhile, practically grew up at Fenway Park. He was there when Boston used to beat Tampa Bay to a pulp on an annual basis. He was there when the rivalry bubbled up in 2008, and he was there when the Rays overtook their hated AL East brethren and became the team to beat in the best division in baseball.

Those who watched it all happen saw a guy who matured tremendously, and therefore expect a seamless transition.

“I think we have watched Carl Crawford turn into a baseball player over the years,” said NESN play-by-play man Don Orsillo, whose first season behind the mike for the Red Sox coincided with Crawford’s first full season in the majors. “When he started he was about as raw a talent as you could find. All the tools, just not mastered or honed. Pure athlete, first and foremost. I remember the words of my friend Brian Daubach who used to say, ‘We are not athletes, we are baseball players.’

“This guy is an athlete and has made himself a great baseball player.”

Crawford played 144 games against the Red Sox in his career. Basically a full season, batting .300 with more hits (181) and stolen bases (62) than against any other opponent. When he begins to blow up in the middle of a lineup loaded with potential, it’ll be like old hat, only he’ll be wearing a new one. That’s what makes the All-Star left fielder, who is coming off a career year, primed for that next big step.

“There won’t be many adjustments, except to the cold,” Crawford joked at his Fenway Park news conference. “The AL East is so exciting and I really wanted to stay in the AL East. When I heard Boston was interested, I was definitely excited.”

As part of that introductory meeting with the media back on Dec. 11, Crawford was asked about what it was like to play a position as hallowed as left field for the Boston Red Sox. With names like Williams, Yastrzemski, Rice, Greenwell and (ahem) Ramirez bouncing around in his head, the Sox’ speedster considered the question and delivered a response that would never be necessary in a place like Tampa Bay.

“Hopefully, I can go down as one of the best left fielders here,” he said.

Crawford already was the best left fielder, and perhaps the best player, in the history of the Rays’ organization. But bidding for immortality in a place like Boston? That’s something you want to be part of.

Important Dates around the MLB

Jan. 5-15, 2011
Salary arbitration filing period

Jan. 18, 2011
Salary arbitration figures exchanged
Feb. 1-21, 2011
Salary arbitration hearings

Feb. 13, 2011
Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players

Feb. 18, 2011
Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers

Feb. 25, 2011
Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players
March 2-11, 2011
Contracts of unsigned players may be renewed

March 28, 2011
Deadline to request unconditional release waivers without having to pay the player’s full 2011 salary

March 31, 2011
Opening Day
April 15, 2011
Jackie Robinson Day
July 12, 2011
All-Star Game, Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.

July 31, 2011
Non-waiver Trade Deadline
Aug. 15, 2011
Last day for teams to sign 2011 First-Year Player Draft selections who have remaining college eligibility
Sept. 1, 2011
Active rosters expand to 40 players

Red Sox Tickets and Schedule

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 6/3/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Friday 6/4/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Saturday 6/5/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Sunday 6/6/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field Cleveland, OH	Monday 6/7/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field Cleveland, OH	Tuesday 6/8/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field Cleveland, OH	Wednesday 6/9/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field Cleveland, OH	Thursday 6/10/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 6/11/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 6/12/10 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 6/13/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 6/15/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 6/16/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 6/17/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 6/18/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 6/19/10 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 6/20/10 8:05 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Tuesday 6/22/10 6:40 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Wednesday 6/23/10 6:40 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Thursday 6/24/10 6:40 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Friday 6/25/10 7:15 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Saturday 6/26/10 4:10 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Sunday 6/27/10 1:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 6/29/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 6/30/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/2/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/3/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 7/4/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Monday 7/5/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Tuesday 7/6/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Wednesday 7/7/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Friday 7/9/10 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Saturday 7/10/10 1:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Sunday 7/11/10 1:07 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 7/15/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/16/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/17/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 7/18/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Monday 7/19/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Tuesday 7/20/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Wednesday 7/21/10 12:35 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Thursday 7/22/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Friday 7/23/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Saturday 7/24/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Sunday 7/25/10 1:10 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Monday 7/26/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Tuesday 7/27/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Wednesday 7/28/10 12:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/30/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/31/10 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 8/1/10 TBD	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 8/2/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/3/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/4/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 8/5/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Friday 8/6/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Saturday 8/7/10 4:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Sunday 8/8/10 TBD	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Monday 8/9/10 TBD	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Tuesday 8/10/10 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Wednesday 8/11/10 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Thursday 8/12/10 12:37 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Friday 8/13/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Saturday 8/14/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Sunday 8/15/10 2:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/17/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/18/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 8/19/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 8/20/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 8/21/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 8/22/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 8/23/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/24/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/25/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Friday 8/27/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Saturday 8/28/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Sunday 8/29/10 1:40 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Tuesday 8/31/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Wednesday 9/1/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Thursday 9/2/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 9/3/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 9/4/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 9/5/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 9/6/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 9/7/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 9/8/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Friday 9/10/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Saturday 9/11/10 6:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Sunday 9/12/10 1:05 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Monday 9/13/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Tuesday 9/14/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Wednesday 9/15/10 12:40 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 9/17/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 9/18/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 9/19/10 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 9/20/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 9/21/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 9/22/10 7:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Friday 9/24/10 7:05 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Saturday 9/25/10 TBD	view tickets

All-Star closer gets one-year, $9.35 million contract

For the second successive year, the Red Sox reached a one-year agreement with closer Jonathan Papelbon on the same day the sides were scheduled to exchange arbitration figures.

On Tuesday night, Boston finalized a one-year, $9.35 million pact with its four-time All-Star reliever, who made $6.25 million last season.

The Red Sox control Papelbon’s contractual rights for one more year, meaning the right-hander can become a free agent after the 2011 season.

The Sox also avoided arbitration with two other righty relievers on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez, two of Papelbon’s top setup men. By Tuesday evening, no agreement had been reached with outfielder Jeremy Hermida, the lone remaining Boston player eligible for arbitration. The sides exchanged arbitration figures in the event that a deal can’t be reached before hearings take place in February. Hermida is asking for $3.85 million, while the Red Sox have countered with $2.95 million.

While the Red Sox locked up three other pieces of their homegrown core last winter — Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jon Lester — they’ve been unable to do so with Papelbon, who has been on record many times saying that he’s more than fine going with a year-by-year approach.

Papelbon, 29, is Boston’s all-time saves leader with 151. In his four seasons as the closer of the Red Sox, Papelbon has never posted an ERA higher than 2.34. Though his outings were more laborious in 2009, Papelbon still had sparkling numbers, notching a 1.85 ERA while converting 38 of 41 save opportunities.

Previously untouched in 17 postseason appearances, the 2009 season ended with a bitter taste for Papelbon, who couldn’t hold a two-run lead with two outs and nobody on in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Angels. The Red Sox wound up getting swept.

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