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Baseball is officially back, while the Red Sox had their first full practice session on Monday. Most of the 2018 Red Sox defending champions are back, and want to become the first baseball team to win the World Series two consecutive seasons since the New York Yankees in 2000.
Here's what we learned from Fort Myers right now:
The property discussed contract extensions with Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts.
Chairman of the Board Tom Werner and chief owner John Henry met with the media in Boston on Monday, saying they had discussed long-term contracts with starting pitcher Chris Sale and the Xander stoppage. Bogaerts. The two are expected to become free agents at the end of the 2019 season. Werner and Henry have pointed out that while their priority is to keep Sale, Bogaerts and Mookie Betts in Red Sox uniforms, such a scenario could be difficult to achieve.
Henry: "We will not be able to keep them all. We may have the biggest payroll in baseball, "but that still does not guarantee the retention of young players.
– Alex Speier (@alexspeier) February 18, 2019
"Conversations have taken place, but I do not really want to go into all areas. . . They are excellent players. We would like them to be Red Sox for the rest of their careers, "said Werner. "We would like to have long-term contracts with [Sale, Bogaerts, and Betts]. But our conversations with them, which are going on, are private. I think this is the best way to make an agreement. "
When asked what was the last left-handed pitcher of the All-Star calibers, the Sox were about to become independent players, Henry admitted that the Red Sox had "failed" trying to get Jon Lester to sign an extension before the 2014 season – the latest in Lester Boston.
The Red Sox will use Steven Wright as a full time relief pitcher.
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston plans to use knuckleballer Steven Wright exclusively outside the paddock. Director Alex Cora said Wright could be used as a potential threat in several rounds.
"I think it's a weapon for us in the office," Cora said. "It's a change of pace. We talked about it in October. Everyone thought that he would be the guy in October. Too bad he hurt himself.
"But he can come in and give us three [innings]Give us one. He does a remarkable job in holding runners. It's difficult for the catchers, but all of us can catch the ball, so I'm not worried about bringing it with traffic. We did it towards the end. With this team, where we are with the composition, it is a weapon for us there. "
There is still uncertainty as to who will close the games for the Red Sox. So there could be some opportunities for Wright in the last few rounds.
Dustin Pedroia returns to the heart of the matter.
Dustin Pedroia is preparing to bounce back and make a significant contribution this season after playing three games in 2018. The second baseman was running to test his left knee surgically repaired last month and will be facing a live shot this week.
Via Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe:
Dustin Pedroia faced pitching live for the first time since last May and left one in the right field. This sparked enthusiasm among fans around the back net of fifth place. "Do not get caught. It was not a laser. Pedroia, who is coming back from his knee surgery, said he felt good afterwards.
"Listen, I'm in a much better position than last year," said Pedroia to Sean McAdam, of the Boston Sports Journal last month. "I am very confident and excited to be able to do it and move forward. Now I understand a lot more than last year. I was trying to heal during my rehabilitation and it was probably not the smartest thing to do. I took time and changed my rehabilitation philosophy, let my knee heal a lot more and I feel good. "
Martinez is not worried about his withdrawal clause at the end of the season.
After recording 43 homers and 130 RBIs in his first season in Boston, Martinez seemed perfectly fit into the training after signing his $ 110 million five-year contract last February. However, he has the opportunity to enter free competition at the next off season if he wishes. Alex Speier of the World writes that Martinez is more focused on maintaining his place as one of the best hitters in the center of the baseball order.
"I love Boston. I love passion that more or less matches my personality, "Martinez said. "Fans, I feel almost as passionate as me. Of course, I would like to stay here, but it's not something that concerns me at the moment. "
Red Sox players go or do not go to the White House.
Abraham questioned 22 players about their intention to attend the ceremony at the White House:
Players planning to attend (12): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Brock Holt, Brian Johnson, Mitch Moreland, Chris Sale, Blake Swihart, Steve Pearce, Nathan Eovaldi, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Sandy Leon.
Players who said they would probably attend (one): Rick Porcello.
Players who declared that they would not participate (four): Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rafael Devers and Hector Velazquez.
The players who declared to be undecided (five): Eduardo Nunez, Xander Bogaerts, David Price, Christian Vazquez, Eduardo Rodriguez (two of these players said that they were not going there).
Director Alex Cora said the decisions will not affect the chemistry of the team.
"This week, all that was said was to prepare and repeat," said Cora. "The work ethic is there. We are not talking about [the White House trip] in the clubhouse. [Sox management] makes it clear that it is optional. Whoever wants to go there goes away. And whoever does not want to go, get on a plane and go to Boston. We do not even talk about it. ''
Tyler Thornburg was impressed during the editorial session on Sunday.
According to Speier, Cora described the Thornburg pen session as the best he had seen since the right-handed take-up last spring. In good health, Thornburg represents a potentially important contributor given his arsenal three steps that allows him to attack left-handed and right-handed.
"Tyler today … it was awesome," said Cora, via MassLive. "Probably the best support I've seen in a year and a half."
Craig Kimbrel will probably not sign with the Red Sox
Werner said Monday that it was "extremely unlikely" that Boston would reach an agreement with the star player. At the start of the off-season, reports revealed Kimbrel was looking for a five- or six-year deal worth more than $ 100 million, but Red Sox baseball president Dave Dombrowski said Boston does not foresaw no huge contracts. for a loved one.
Internal options to watch include Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Tyler Thornburg.
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