Red Sox Spring Training Delight – 4/1

We are getting closer and closer to the season and finally the 2012 roster for the Boston Red Sox is starting to take shape.

Earlier in the week, we learned that Mike Aviles would be the starting shortstop as Jose Iglesias was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket. This left just finding out who the fourth and fifth guys in the rotation as well as the 25th man on the roster.

With all four in the rotation competition pitching this week, Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, Aaron Cook and Felix Doubront, it was thought that we would learn the final two yesterday. Instead, Bobby Valentine elected to wait until today to announce his rotation since he hadn’t had time to talk with all the parties involved.

So without further adieu, here is your 2012 Boston Red Sox starting rotation:

Jon Lester
Josh Beckett
Clay Buchholz
Felix Doubront
Daniel Bard

Really no surprises here. I’ve said all along that Aceves is better suited from the Red Sox bullpen given his versatility. Cook most likely wasn’t ready yet as he hasn’t gotten to where the others are as far as pitch count.

I’m guessing here that Doubront is the 4th starter and Bard the 5th because Valentine didn’t want to throw lefties (Doubront, Lester) on consecutive days. I’d also like to think that if Doubront or Bard struggle, the Red Sox will give Cook a chance or even bump Aceves into the rotation.

The bullpen, while not officially announced, looks like it’ll be Andrew Bailey, Mark Melancon, Aceves, Matt Albers, Franklin Morales, Michael Bowden and either Scott Atchison or Vicente Padilla. If it ends up being Padilla, the Red Sox would have to make a move on the 40-man roster since he was a non-roster invitee.

It also appears that the 25th spot on the roster is coming down to Pedro Ciriaco, Nate Spears and Jason Repko.

All of them bring a different dynamic to the team but I’m guessing it’ll be Ciriaco based on his speed. He’s now scored from second base on sacrifice bunts twice this season and that’s something Valentine likes. The one thing to remember though is that more than likely the 25th man on the team will also be the one to go when Carl Crawford returns from his wrist injury in late April/early May.

Finally, if you thought Ryan Lavarnway would start the season in Boston, your guess would have been wrong. He was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket this morning. Something tells me though that it won’t be long before he’s in Boston to stay.

To see today’s lineups, as well as the links from the media, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

After tying the Tampa Bay Rays 7-7 yesterday, the Red Sox return to JetBlue Park to host their spring training cross-town rivals, the Minnesota Twins. The Mayor’s Cup is on the line as the Red Sox hold a 3-2 lead and a win would give them the title after losing it last year.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. You can also listen to the game on your radio at 680 AM WRKO.

Here are today’s lineups:


1. Denard Span	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Jamey Carroll	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Chris Parmalee	DH	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Ryan Doumit	C	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Danny Valencia	3B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Sean Burroughs	1B	6. Cody Ross	LF
7. Luke Hughes	2B	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Trevor Ploufee	RF	8. Ryan Sweeney	RF
9. Ben Revere	LF	9. Mike Aviles	SS
Carl Pavano	SP	Vicente Padilla	SP