Cue the dramatic music.
The first to appear at spring training is none other than our questionable-closer Keith Foulke.
I think this is a really good sign. Foulke, as we all know, struggled last year on and off the mound. He put up his worst season ever as a pro after arguably his best season. But his early arrival really sends the message that he wants to get back to that 2004 form.
He threw 13 minutes yesterday, so I'm going to quickly assume his knee is doing well. He'll be ready for Opening Day, but the real question is his performance: 2004 or 2005?
TIMLIN NAMED TO US TEAM
Our bullpen hero Mike Timlin was named to the United States team to play in the World Baseball Classic. Congratulations, Timlin. This guy deserves it.
WELLS WON'T HOLD OUT
Word is that David Wells will report to spring training despite his trade request not being honored yet.
PAPELBON'S ROLE STILL UNKOWN
I speak for the rest of Red Sox Nation when I say: put Jonathan Papelbon in the starting rotation.
Please, Mr. Francona. Bronson Arroyo to the pen, Papelbon to the rotation. Do the right thing.
PEDROIA AIN'T NO PUSHOVER
He has been working.
He is Over The Monster's favorite prospect, Dustin Pedroia. According to the Providence Journal article, Pedroia is primed and ready to compete for a starting job in Boston.
Does that everyone else excited like it does to me? He's got an invite to spring training, he's been working really hard this off-season, and Alex Gonzalez does not have a guaranteed contract. This is a sweet little formula from my perspective.