Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal believes Boof Bonser is the "front-runner" for the final spot in Boston's 2010 bullpen.
Bonser underwent shoulder surgery last February and missed all of the 2009 season, but he's made significant progress. "He looked good in the bullpen in short stints when healthy," said GM Theo Epstein. "He had significant surgery, but he checked out really well during our physical, and we're excited to see him in the spring." Bonser owns a 5.12 career ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
Red Sox signed RHP Joe Nelson to a minor league contract.
Nelson posted a 4.02 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings for the Rays last season before the club designated him for assignment in September. He might have trouble cracking Boston's Opening Day roster but he's a fine emergency reliever should an injury happen on the depth chart above him.
David Ortiz has lost 15 pounds, says Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Ortiz is trying to bounce back from a season where he batted just .222/.317/.416 before the All-Star break. The team holds a $12.5 million club option for 2011, so Big Papi is fighting to keep his job. The 34 year old had a nagging shoulder injury that caused him not to play first base in the World Baseball Classic this past March, an injury that has reportedly cleared up.
The Yankees, Rangers and Mariners are all interested in OF Rocco Baldelli.
The Cubs were previously linked to Baldelli as well. The right-hander hit .253/.311/.433 with seven home runs in 150 at-bats last season for Boston. Best utilized as a backup outfielder, Rocco will likely have to accept a minor league deal at this late stage.
Red Sox signed C Gustavo Molina to a minor league contract.
Molina hasn't appeared in the major leagues since 2008, when he played two games with the Mets. He spent last season with the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, hitting .209/.233/.308 in 211 at-bats.
Tim Wakefield said Tuesday that he expects to serve as a full-time member of Boston's starting rotation in 2010.
Wakefield underwent back surgery in October but he's hoping to be fine by the start of spring training. And he expects to land a spot in the rotation. Things may get tricky, though, considering the Red Sox also have starters John Lackey, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz all vying for spots. It's a situation to monitor this spring.
The Red Sox and outfielder Jeremy Hermida avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3,345,000 contract.
It's just a hair below the midpoint of the $3.85 million he requested and the $2.95 million offered by the Red Sox when arbitration figures were exchanged last week. Hermida, 25, was acquired from the Marlins for a pair of minor league prospects in November. He batted just .259/.348/.392 with 13 homers and 47 RBI in 429 at-bats with the Marlins last season, but posted an 870 OPS as a 23-year-old in 2007.
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