Since Spring Training officially began on Tuesday, the Red Sox pitching staff has been impressing their coaches. The major league pitcher that has been the most impressive thus far has been the a player who has a lot to prove in 2010, Jonathan Papelbon. After his abysmal performance in last year’s ALCS, Papelbon has been waiting all off-season to get back on the field and put 2009 behind him. 

One of my colleagues over at C70 At The Bat, and a fellow member of the BBA (Baseball Bloggers Alliance) has a fantastic series he call ‘Playing Pepper’. He asks bloggers to weigh-in on 10 questions about the team that they cover and know well. C70’s St. Louis Cardinal’s blog is one of the best on the net, so I was more than thrilled to help him out by giving my two cents on the Red Sox off-season, a potential team MVP, the potential Achilles’ heal for the club and much more. Check out my Playing Pepper 2010 answers and [...]

I had the opportunity to answer a few questions for NESN.com in a new segment they started called Red Sox Blog Roundtable. The questions were geared around previewing the 2010 season and looking further into the AL East. Other topics include the Red Sox starting rotation issues, batting order thoughts, and minor league impact at the major league level. Check out what I, and other Red Sox bloggers, had to say over at NESN.com.

The Red Sox revealed their plan for their new Spring Training facility today. The complex plans to open it’s doors in 2012 and will have a replica version of the Green Monster looming over left field. According to WEEI.com, the new stadium will hold 11,000 and there will be 6 practice fields next door.

The 5 Questions series continues with a different geographic take on the upcoming 2010 season. I asked Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant about the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry and the AL East. Being entrenched in the middle of the Evil Empire and Red Sox Nation gives Dom a unique perspective on the two teams. Enjoy!

Mike Lowell arrived at the Red Sox Spring Training facility yesterday without pomp and circumstance. He unpacked his bags after most had already left for the day and prepared for the media frenzy the next day. Since arriving in Boston, Lowell has exceeded expectations and has been a leader in the clubhouse. Even though he has been the focus of trade talks and was almost traded in December, Lowell has not said a bad word about the Red Sox organization and is a true example of class.

It has been over 6 years since game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Even though the Red Sox have since broken out of their ‘curse’ with 2 championship victories, it is painful to relive the 11th inning heroics from Aaron Boone. Since that moment Boone’s career has been mostly forgettable, but as he retires, Red Sox fans will remember him for one clutch at-bat.

As the remaining position players make the journey to Fort Myers today, a young star has been opening eyes on the field. Jose Iglesias, a Cuban defect that the Red Sox signed in September, has caught the attention of the media and teammates. At just 20 years old, the Red Sox may have found their SS of the future.

There are very few times fans get the opportunity to look into the head of a professional baseball player. Towards the end of last season, Daniel Bard wrote a diary entry for ESPNBoston.com about his experiences and gave the readers a look into the mind of a major league reliever. Yesterday, Bard wrote his first diary entry of the 2010 season and gave us a look into his off-season and the different experience in walking into Spring Training in year two.

After the Red Sox announced their signing of John Lackey in mid-December, the starting rotation was immediately improved significantly. We all know of Lackey’s accomplishments with the LA Angels and his ability to perform at the highest level in pressure situations like the playoffs, but it is his competitive drive and effect off the field that will be the greatest addition to the Red Sox pitching staff.