Happy new year, fans. We’re finally into double digits as we count down to Opening Day 2015.
Here are some noteworthy stories from around the web for Red Sox fans:
- With all that’s gone on this offseason it has been easy to lose sight of Rusney Castillo, the Sox’ $72 million man. Castillo went 15-for-37 (.405) with two doubles, a home run, two walks, and only four strikeouts in the Arizona Fall League and has just finished 10 games of Winter Ball under manager (and former Red Sox) Alex Cora in Puerto Rico. Cora’s views are positive on Castillo both offensively and defensively.
- Everyone’s favorite utility man, Brock Holt, says he’s ready for anything in the 2015 campaign. Holt hit .281 with four home runs, 29 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a .331 on-base percentage in 106 games last season. He says he’s talked to GM Cherington and Manager Farrell: “They told me that it’ll probably be kind of similar to what I did last year. Move around, give guys days off whenever they need them.” For his part, Holt is “just kind of happy to help out however I can.”
- BleacherReport.com is out with their power rankings for 2015. As things stand they peg the Red Sox at No. 13 of the 30 Major League teams (with AL East mates Rays at No. 26, Yankees at No. 21, Orioles at No. 11, and Blue Jays at No. 7) and the Cardinals topping the list altogether. While they acknowledge plenty of questions for Boston as of today, they conclude “the Red Sox have a real shot at contending for what looks to be a suddenly wide-open AL East division.”