(already subscribe? log in).

In Red Sox camp, early signs of spring

On baseball

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 09, 2012|By Nick Cafardo

The Red Sox will hold spring training this year at the new JetBlue Park, which… (J. Meric/Boston Red Sox )

FORT MYERS, Fla. - It’s impossible to beat WBZ’s Jon Miller to spring training, but coming in second to the Boston media legend gives you some chest-thumping pride. You see, we’ve all been a little eager to get to The Fort this year, not only to get accustomed to the logistics of new JetBlue Park, but because there are obvious story lines stemming from last year’s great September collapse that we want to dive into.

Those story lines include Bobby Valentine’s debut as Red Sox manager as well as new general manager Ben Cherington’s first spring training. There is Daniel Bard’s transition to starting pitcher. There is, “Who’s on short?’’ And the rehash of last September.

There are more immediate issues, such as the interest in free agent Roy Oswalt, the arbitration case scheduled for Monday with David Ortiz, and tough decisions on Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield, which Cherington said could come next week.

And, of course, the much-awaited compensation from the Cubs for Theo Epstein should be settled before spring training officially starts.

Regarding Oswalt, a major league source indicates that the 34-year-old righthander’s priority is geographic, not financial, meaning the Red Sox are offering what Oswalt would accept, but he prefers a place like St. Louis or Texas over Boston.

We’ll see if Oswalt gets his wish regarding location and money. But Boston is still in the hunt.

Ortiz continues to tell reporters in the Dominican Republic that he wants a multiyear deal, but according to Cherington, the Sox are preparing for the hearing, which will decide whether Ortiz’s $16.5 million number beats Boston’s $12.65 million offer.

The Epstein compensation issue is being decided by commissioner Bud Selig, who has received information from both teams concerning their stand on the topic. The Red Sox still believe the agreement was to yield to them a “significant’’ player or prospect.

Meanwhile, there were about 50 minor leaguers and major leaguers working out at the complex yesterday on a voluntary basis. The most recognizable were Jon Lester, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Lavarnway, Andrew Miller, and Ryan Kalish. Also present were front office types such as Cherington, president Larry Lucchino, and executive vice president Jonathan Gilula, who were overseeing last-minute touches for the unveiling of the $80 million ballpark on Feb. 19, when pitchers and catchers officially report.

Amid the workouts were fantasy leaguers who paid upward of $4,500 to play baseball with the likes of Trot Nixon, Rich Gedman, Frank Viola, Jim Corsi, Brian Daubach, Butch Hobson, Dick Drago, Bob Stanley, Al Bumbry, Gary Allenson, and others. All six minor league fields were active with fantasy league games and/or workouts.