There has been a lot of talk this offseason about what John Farrell can do for the Red Sox pitching staff as manager, but GM Ben Cherington reminded reporters today that he is charged with doing a lot more than working with a few hurlers, writes Tim Britton of The Providence Journal. Here's a look at the highlights from Cherington's chat with the press out of Fort Myers, Florida and other news on the BoSox..
- Cherington said the team hasn’t started extension talks with any players but it is expected that the Red Sox will open conversations with Dustin Pedroia at some point this spring, writes Alex Speier of WEEI.com. “I can’t rule it out, but I can’t rule it in, either,” said the GM regarding extensions.
- As of right now, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross are being viewed as the major league catchers, leaving Ryan Lavarnway as the odd man out, Speier writes. With a glut of backstops, Lavarnway will remain a trade candidate as we enter spring training.
- Cherington accepted the blame for a lack of depth in the starting rotation in 2012, according to Speier. However, he feels more confident about the team’s pitching heading into this season. The Red Sox will be stretching out Alfredo Aceves and Franklin Morales as starters in spring training in support of the projected rotation of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Ryan Dempster, and Felix Doubront.
