Papelbon scare

Without knowing how important he could be to the team this year, I was still very worried when I heard about how Papelbon got hit on the ankle in yesterday's game. With all the question marks when it comes to the starting rotation, one more 'if' could topple the whole thing.

“I’m as fortunate as I can be,” said Papelbon, who suffered only a bruise and didn’t require X-rays. “If that ball is an inch higher on my ankle, I’m probably done for 3-6 months. The Big Man Above was watching out for me.”

Vinatieri is contemplating free agency

According to a story in the Orlando Sentinel today, Adam Vinatieri is contemplating free agency and multi year deals. Which may be a good thing for him, but not so good for the Patriots.

"I really enjoyed my 10 years with the Patriots. It's been a great time and I have a lot of good memories there," he said. "The New England Patriots are bigger than I am. There have been other people who have been released, and others who have been brought in, and that team's been good no matter what."

"The franchise tag means a one-year guarantee -- so that's a good thing. But if you're wanting to get multi years, it's a bad thing. The opportunity to go into free agency this year is a good thing," Vinatieri said.

It's just agents being agents

Manny's agent, being an agent, has come out (see quote below) and laid the whole trade issue at the Red Sox feet. Now that Manny is back in camp and playing nice, it's time for his 'I'm excited to play here and it's where I'd like to keep playing.' statement. This seems to have become a spring training ritual with Manny in Boston.

It's too bad Manny wants out of Boston. I think the fans love him, except for a few hard nosed nuts who think he's a distraction to the team. I say the only thing he distracts is the media, which is fine with the rest of his team.

The only time I've had a problem with Manny is the time Francona asked him to play on his day off and he refused. While I can understand if he's not feeling well or he is injured and afraid it's going to get worse, I think we all know that team sports demand you play for the team.

Boston Herald story by Jeff Horrigan

“I think it’s been mis-characterized all along,” Genske said. “I think it’s been a situation over the last few years where the Red Sox have wanted to pursue trade alternatives, just to kind of see what’s out there, and Manny has always been willing to participate in those kind of talks and he’d been willing to keep an open mind and cooperate if the Red Sox decide they want to have trade discussions with another team.

Nixon to be player rep?

In a boston herald story today by Tony Massarotti, he reports on how Schilling and new pitching coach Nipper have butted heads. That's a good thing. I want Schilling anxious and ready to go out there and pitch more. I also want the Sox to keep his workouts at a reasonable pace. We need Curt to come out and have a great year.

Also

Nixon, for what it’s worth, seems to be the leading candidate to succeed Johnny Damon as the club’s union player representative. Nixon was the assistant player rep a year ago and indicated that the club would not hold an election until after the start of the regular season.

It would probably be a good fit. Nixon is a serious guy who's not afraid to take on responsibility. Of course, with his health problems, he'll probably have time off to face any issues that come up. (a cheap shot, yes... but still true).

Manny arrives sporting a throwback jersey

Manny has arrived at spring training. Maybe we can talk about something else now. Oh, did you guess what the throwback jersey would be?

Boston Red Sox Nation: Heeeeeere's Manny!

Manny Arrives in Camp at 9:02 a.m.

"Oh yeah you know I’m back, I guess people want me to come back and my main focus is baseball right now and trying to help this team win and let me get this straight, I don’t want no question about the trade rumors about the winter this and that. You guys want to talk about baseball or whatever, you know I’m open to talk. We could talk all day." -- 3.1.06, Manny Ramirez