Daily Red Sox Links: David Ortiz, Will Middlebrooks, John Lackey

Alex Speier explains why the Red Sox are completely open to giving David Ortiz the extension that he desires. (Alex Speier; WEEI.com)

Ortiz yearns for that extension, but something that he doesn't desire is friendship. He needs haters, because they are his motivators. (Ron Chimelis; MassLive.com)

Will Middlebrooks wants to redeem himself for what was a disappointing sophomore season in 2013. (Joe McDonald; ESPNBoston.com)

Normalcy has eluded John Lackey since he joining Boston in 2009. This year, he's happy to have a normal spring training. (Tim Britton; Providence Journal) ($$$ - if you've read more than 15 ProJo articles in a month...)

It's a bit too early to talk about prospects wowing people this spring, but David Ross was impressed with left-handed prospect Henry Owens during their bullpen session. (Meredith Perri; WEEI.com)

Daniel Nava is not going to alter his approach to bat leadoff. (Jason Mastrodonato; MassLive.com)

A Red Sox minor leaguer was suspended 50 games on Thursday for PED use. (Jared Carrabis; SoxSpace)