Red Sox Spring Games Will Be Watched By Phillies

It’s finally here. The first day of the Boston Red Sox playing their spring training games of 2015. If you want to know more about the players, this season, you could turn on your radios or come to Fort Myers, Florida to see their games, just like some Philadelphia Phillies scouts.

MassLive.com‘s Jen McCaffrey reported yesterday about the split-squad rosters that the Red Sox will be sporting against Boston College and Northeastern, today. “Each game will be seven innings and the second game will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Neither game will be televised but can be heard on WEEI 850 AM in Boston.”

The rosters are:

Northeastern at 1:05 p.m.
INFIELDERS
Xander Bogaerts
Mike Napoli
David Ortiz
Dustin Pedroia
Pablo Sandoval
Sean Coyle
Brock Holt
Bryan LaHair
Jeff Bianchi

OUTFIELDERS
Mookie Betts
Hanley Ramirez
Shane Victorino
Bryce Brentz

CATCHERS
Christian Vazquez
Humberto Quintero
Luke Montz

PITCHERS
RHP Clay Buchholz
RHP Rick Porcello
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
RHP Zeke Spruill
LHP Dana Eveland
RHP Anthony Varvaro
RHP Mitchell Boggs

Boston College (30 minutes after first game)
INFIELDERS
Garin Cecchini
Deven Marrero
Travis Shaw
Jemile Weeks

OUTFIELDERS
Jackie Bradley Jr.
Allen Craig
Daniel Nava
Rusney Castillo
Quintin Berry

CATCHERS
Ryan Hanigan
Matt Spring
Blake Swihart

PITCHERS
RHP Wade Miley
RHP Steven Wright
LHP Craig Breslow
RHP Brandon Workman
LHP Edwin Escobar
RHP Dalier Hinojosa
RHP Keith Couch
RHP Noe Ramirez

Both games will be recapped here, on this platform, later this afternoon.

Though before anything is made of the rosters, it is worth noting that Red Sox Nation and the college fans will not be the only ones interested in the results of the players. The Phillies’ top adviser “Charlie Kerfeld, was on hand Monday to watch all of the desirable Boston players the Phillies would like to see in a trade for Cole Hamels or perhaps Cliff Lee,” according to Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo. The observation by most experts is that if Kerfeld was there on Monday, expect him and a few other Phillies scouts and executives to be watching much of Boston’s spring training games throughout March, very closely.

More from Red Sox History

• Two notable Red Sox anniversaries highlight current organizational failures
• Contemporary Era Committee doesn’t elect any former Red Sox to Hall of Fame
• Johnny Damon calls Red Sox out, reveals hilarious way he skirted Yankees’ grooming policy
• Remembering the best Red Sox Thanksgiving ever
• Red Sox World Series legends headline 2023 Hall of Fame ballot

Cafardo explains in his article that the connection has been strong between the Phillies and Red Sox, over the years, and that talks could continue, regardless of if a move is made before the regular season. “There had been talk about Shane Victorino going back to Philadelphia, but he is 34, and the Phillies want young talent. Perhaps they would be open to taking on the salary if Boston took on Lee’s salary, but there also would have to be prospects in the deal.” Cafardo continues by suggesting that “guys such as

, Garin Cecchini,

,

, and Eduardo Rodriguez are pretty good players” for a package deal, especially for Cliff Lee, whom has impressed recently after rehabbing his elbow. “The price tag for Lee would be less [than for Hamels]. He makes $25 million this year and has a player option for $27.5 million in 2016 that can be bought out for $12.5 million.”

Feb 24, 2015; Ft. Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Henry Owens (76) during workout drills at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Considering Victorino’s age and John Farrell‘s declaration that the veteran is his man in right field, at least for the start of the season, don’t expect a Phillies reunion any time soon. By all accounts, including this web publication, the Phillies want Red Sox top prospects like Blake Swihart and Mookie Betts, both of whom Boston’s general manager Ben Cherington and other execs have said are not on the market. With a pitching staff in flux, with a lot to prove this season, young lefty talent like Henry Owens may be the only solution on the mound, if one of the relievers or starters gets hurt.

At this point, it’s hard to see anyone not a position-player prospect, low on MLB’s overall list, being a part of any deals. The Red Sox want to see what they have, this spring. Today’s split-squads will begin that process, to the joy of Red Sox fans, everywhere. It will also be to the watchful eyes of the Phillies’ organization. Stay tuned.