Ellsbury Speaks

It's photo day at JetBlue ballpark where the players strike there best pose for the media. Photo day is exactly like it sounds players pretend they are pitching or hitting while getting their photo taken. While is always exciting more entertaining things happened when Jacoby Ellsbury got a chance to speak with the press.

Ellsbury discussed everything from his second place finish in the MVP voting, his spot in the line up and his future with the Red Sox. Ellsbury seemed a little disappointed that he didn't win the AL MVP but it doesn't seem to be anything that will hold him down this season.

The million dollar question for 2012 is, where will Bobby Valentine hit Ellsbury in the line up? Since Ellsbury has become such a home run hitter many believe it is a waste of production having him hit lead off with no one on-base but the question for me is if not him who?

When ask what Ellsbury thought of being dropped in the order.

"It's hard for me to say at this point. I haven't hit third on this team before. I don't know how they would go about mixing the line up," Ellsbury said. "Certain guys feel comfortable hitting in certain positions. I've hit in different areas in the lineup and it hasn't really bothered me. I feel comfortable.

"Time will tell what will happen. I really dont have an opinion either way at this moment."

With many of big names on the roster locked-up long term Ellsbury is the last to be extended. Ellsbury is will under contract until after 2013 and many think they need to attempt a contract extension. This is something that could be difficult seeing that he is a Scott Boras client. Boras likes to see his players test the free agent market.

"There's always that possibility," Ellsbury said on the talk of an extension. "I kind of leave that up to my agent and I'm just happy to get everything worked out this year. As far as future contracts and stuff like that, I let them take care of it and then inform me if there's any decision to be made."

As many know Ellsbury is from the west coast as he is from Oregon and has a full term residence in Arizona. Some question if he would even want to extend his contract and give him a chance to play on the west coast.

"I love playing here; it's a great place to play," he said. "Love the fans. The fans show up for spring training. ...It's a great place to play and I enjoy it. It's the only place I know. I enjoy playing in that pressure environment."

After hearing this you would assume that Ellsbury would be able to work out an extension with the Red Sox. In the past it has been Red Sox policy to buy the players remaining time plus free agent year and leave the team with an option. This isn't anything that Boras likes to do for his clients.This may be a down to the wire decision with him and could even go into free agency. We better enjoy the last two seasons and pray for an extension.

Spring Training Work Outs Began

photo by: Jim Davis, Boston.com

Spring has sprung and the Red Sox are back. With the first full squad work out complete spring training is underway. A lot news has come out of the day.

New rules came out of JetBlue park and to be honest they came right on schedule. Head coach Bobby Valentine announced that their would be no beer in the club house or on return trips to Boston. This was expected after last seasons beer and chicken disaster. Not only because of that but because it has been banned in every club house Bobby V has been apart of with the exception Texas. With the ban the Red Sox become the 19th team to do so. Valentine doesn't expect any back lash from the lack of beer.

David Ortiz added his support of the ban. "It doesn't matter. We're not here to drink; we're here to play baseball. This isn't a bar." Ortiz went on to say, "This is an organization, a place that needs a lot of athleticsm. Alcohol has nothing to do with that. We have alcohol in our houses. If you want to drink, drink at home."

Today was also a big day for Carl Crawford, as well has his feelings. Crawford meet with team owner John Henry early in the day. Henry apologized for comments he made that he opposed the Crawford signing.

"It went really." Crawford said on the meeting. "He was real apologetic, I told him there were no hard feelings or nothing like that.We all share the same goal and that is to help us win, get back where we should be..."

"I should have never made those comments," Henry said in an owners Q&A session held this morning. "It was an off the cuff remark I shouldn't have made, so when I see him I'm going to apologize to him for it."

Crawford comes into spring training recovering from a minor wrist surgery. Crawford  took 30 swings today in the cage and he appeared to be pleased with the outcome. Though it did come with some discomfort to the injured wrist.

"It felt good," Crawford said. "I took more swings, I swung hard so it felt good.

 "[I had] a little soreness, but that's expected," Crawford went on to say. "Hopefully it's something I can play through and get used to that and eventually that little soreness will go away."

Crawford plans to be on the opening day roster come April 5th in Detroit. Valentine spoke on the matter.

"Sooner than I thought, originally," Bobby V said. "Hopefully not so soon that it sets him back, we're trying to make the time right. Of Course, we've talked about some absolute time frames.

"I think [Crawford being ready for opening day] could be realistic, but again I don't know. I wouldn't doubt it. Talking to Carl, I wouldn't doubt many things. He seems very determined."

Crawford is coming off his worst season since entering the big league hopefully now that he has one year under his belt and a surgery to fix an injury he will be better prepared for his second season in Boston.

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