News and Notes

I have been away for a little while, so let's get caught up on Red Sox news.

BOBBY VALENTINE NAMED MANAGER
This is the biggest news so far. I am kind of indifferent to managers most of the time, so I am not sure what to think.

DAVID ORTIZ ACCEPTS ARBITRATION
Ortiz will be back next year and the Red Sox will continue to negotiate on a two-year deal.

JACOBY ELLSBURY FINISHES SECOND IN A.L. M.V.P.
This was disappointing, but I saw it coming. I did not really think he had that great of a chance at the award with the way the season finished. A lot of people are upset that Justin Verlander won it due to his being a pitcher. I do not have a problem with pitchers winning the M.V.P., hell I think Pedro Martinez deserved it in 1999. So, it was a disappointment, but not surprising. Hopefully Boston will lock him up long-term now.

HALL OF FAME VETERAN'S COMMITTEE VOTE RESULTS
Ron Santo finally gets in after his unfortunate death. Luis Tiant only got three votes. I think he is a borderline case and would love to see him in, but it may never happen. He has a lot of ground to make up and several players in front of him, not to mention that his era only gets voted on once every few years.

MINOR SIGNINGS
The Red Sox have signed a number of players to minor league or split free agent contracts and have lost a few as well. The Red Sox have signed left-handed relievers Jesse Carlson and Justin Thomas, and right-handed relievers Will Inman and Khorye Spoone. They re-signed Tony Pena and Andrew Miller and Tommy Hottovy and Drew Sutton have signed elsewhere.

That's it. The offseason has been fairly stagnant for the Red Sox so far. The Marlins and Angels have both made big splashes, but Boston and the Yankees have been oddly silent.