Red Sox Spring Training Delight – 3/23

Manager Bobby Valentine #25 of the Boston Red Sox gives a thumbs up against the New York Yankees during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at JetBlue Park on March 22, 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida.

There are a few different story lines that emerged from the 4-4 tie that Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees played at JetBlue Park last night.

First, it is thought that Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard and Felix Doubront are the final three candidates for the final two spots in the starting rotation. Secondly, Bobby Valentine is pissed at Joe Girardi for pulling his squad off the field after the end of the 9th with the score tied.

With regards to my first point, while those three are considered to be the “finalists” for the rotation spots, Aaron Cook is trying to make Valentine’s decision about those rotation spots all the much harder.

The one thing Cook doesn’t have in his favor is the fact that he probably won’t be ready for Opening Day. However, he wouldn’t be needed until the Red Sox have to put their 5th starter on the mound.

Cook put up four solid innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two. The sinkerballer had good command of the strikezone and the main thing was he was getting ahead of the hitters early in the count. Those runs he allowed were his first of spring training in 9 1/3 innings. He’s averaging just 12 pitches per inning.

If Cook can build up his arm strength by the end of the spring training slate in just under two weeks, it is quite possible that he could emerge as the 5th starter. At the latest, the Red Sox will have until May 1st to put him in the big leagues as he has an opt-out clause in his contract. Of course, the Red Sox could always work something out with Cook for him not to opt-out at that time.

Normally during spring training games, you rarely ever see extra innings because some teams don’t have enough pitching for the day. Usually though, they may play one extra inning and then call it a day.

But after the 9th inning of last night’s tie, the Yankees skipper pulled his squad off the field and got back on the bus to Tampa. The main reason why this pissed off Valentine was the fact that he warmed up Clayton Mortensen for the 10th. Had he known that the two teams weren’t going to play the 10th, he wouldn’t have warmed Mortensen up.

Sure it’s spring training and maybe Valentine shouldn’t be upset. But I understand why he is.

Mortensen is trying to make the team after coming over in the Marco Scutaro trade. As we wind down here in spring training, innings are precious and not too many guys will get as many innings, especially in the bullpen. Hence Valentine’s displeasure with Girardi.

It will be interesting to see if this carries over to the rivalry during the season. Knowing what we know about Valentine, the odds are it will.

To see today’s lineups for the game against the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota as well as the overnight and morning links from the media, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

After tying the Yankees 4-4 last night, the Red Sox make the trip up I-75 to Sarasota to take on the Orioles.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network. There is no radio coverage of the game in Red Sox Nation.

Here are today’s lineups:


1. Nick Punto	3B	1. Nolan Reimold	LF
2. Jose Iglesias	SS	2. Nick Johnson	1B
3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. Darnell McDonald	CF	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Josh Kroeger	RF	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Lars Anderson	1B	6. Mark Reynolds	3B
7. Jason Repko	LF	7. Wilson Betemit	DH
8. Nate Spears	2B	8. Steven Tolleson	2B
9. Mauro Gomez	DH	9. Robert Andino	SS
Clay Buchholz	SP	Jason Hammel	SP