After one of the most harrowing weeks this city has ever experienced, Boston finally can begin its return to something resembling normal life. What “normal” means now is unclear, of course, as Monday’s tragedy at the marathon and Friday’s day-long manhunt redefined the word forever for the residents of Boston and its suburbs. For the families of Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu and Sean Collier, the death of one of the bombing’s alleged perpetrators and the capture of the other will never be sufficient to return their lives to the happy “normal” they knew less than a week ago.

But it is a start along the path to healing. So as the residents of Watertown awaken on Saturday morning, bleary-eyed from the surreal preceding 24 hours, they can finally begin to pretend that life is on its way back to normal. We can turn on the news to confirm to ourselves that Friday really happened, that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev truly is clinging to life in a hospital bed and not running free, then dedicate a few quiet moments to reflect in honor of the victims.

Then we can turn on the Red Sox at noon, provided the weather clears up, or the Bruins, who will line up for the opening face off around the same time Clay Buchholz‘ first pitch will sail into the catcher’s mitt at Fenway Park. Around the time those games are wrapping up, the Celtics tip off Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series in New York. For a solid six hours or so, we will create the illusion that this is just another day in sports-loving Boston.

The games themselves are irrelevant, obviously. The Bruins eliminated two games from their schedule this week, the Red Sox and Celtics one each, and nobody has uttered a peep of complaint. Anyone and everyone would trade wins in all three games today if it could help bring back the four people who have lost their lives needlessly.

Yet we all know that it would not. As three of Boston’s teams return to action, the games are simply a reminder of what two men’s actions took from us — or tried to, anyway. Getting life back to normal, or something like it, begins now. On Saturday, we will show the perpetrators that Boston, for all the tears shed in the last six days, has not forgotten how to cheer.

Have a question for Ben Watanabe? Send it to him via Twitter at @BenjeeBallgame or send it here.

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings that shook the city to its core Monday afternoon, many Bostonians turned to sports to shine a light amid one of the darkest times in the city’s history.

Both the Bruins and Celtics chose not to play their games originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, respectively, in Boston, meaning that the Red Sox’ matchup with Terry Francona‘s Indians would be the first contest played by a Boston team in the wake of the tragic events of the day before.

While it lacked the pageantry, drama and nationwide emotion of the New York Mets’ unforgettable win over the Braves 10 days after the events of 9/11, Tuesday’s game in Cleveland gave the people of Boston something they desperately needed — something to cheer about.

Not a single player on the Red Sox’ active roster hails from New England (though reliever Craig Breslow, a New Haven, Conn., native, is currently on the disabled list), but the players have been highly vocal in their support of their adopted city. Social media has been blanketed with proclamations of #BostonStrong by Will Middlebrooks, Shane Victorino and numerous others. And then, they took care of business on the field.

Everyone knows that Boston fans love a winner, and the Red Sox played that role Tuesday, riding a seven-run second inning to a 7-2 rout of the Tribe. After the game, the Boston boys continued to offer their support to those watching back home.

“They’re out of sight, but definitely not out of mind,” designated hitter Jonny Gomes said. “We’re going to do what we can to keep a breath of fresh air rolling back to Boston.”

Sports cannot heal physical wounds. They cannot erase the fact that Monday’s tragedy took place. And they certainly cannot bring back the three individuals who lost their lives as a result.

But they can provide an escape from the endless loop of destruction dominating most telecasts and, perhaps more importantly, give a chance for a city with such intense hometown pride to join together for a common goal.

The Red Sox did that Tuesday night.

Both were looking at the prospect of a bridge year. For the Red Sox, it was rebuilding after shipping away Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett, with few good choices on the free-agent market and the upcoming players not quite there. For the Yankees, it was finding a way to produce the same amount of wins with a smaller payroll, as the team tries to get itself under the luxury tax threshold.

Both were coming off down years. For the Red Sox, it was really down — 69 wins down. For the Yankees, it was wilting in the playoffs at historic levels. Both teams had marquee players and high expectations. Both teams failed to perform.

But a little over a week into the season, with just a few games separating them and so much still to be determined, the similar storylines are starting to take different trajectories. While a week can’t tell much more about how this baseball season will turn out than the heavy speculation throughout spring training could, a few trends have arisen. If they continue, they could mark some real separation between the Red Sox and the Yankees, with the Red Sox headed up and challenging in the American League East.

While the Yankees (4-4) are playing with a short deck due to injuries and the Red Sox (5-2) have seen many of their preseason hopes realized so far, the early success of Boston while New York middles isn’t luck. The Red Sox are using a strategy that has traditionally been hard to beat, while the Yankees are relying on — well, being the Yankees.

That’s why Boston has a good chance to skip its bridge year, while New York is facing one of those intermittently bad seasons that every team save the Yankees seems to get.

The separation starts with the two teams’ strategies, whether their areas of emphasis are intentional or not. The Red Sox are betting heavily on pitching this year. Former pitching coach John Farrell was brought in as the new manager, and he’s being counted on to help Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and John Lackey rediscover their mojo and also get Felix Doubront‘s career off on the right foot.

The common refrain on the Sox’ rotation is that it can be the best in the bigs when it’s clicking. A cycle and a half through so far, Boston’s starters have shown just that. The team’s 2.95 ERA is fifth best in Major League Baseball and second in the American League, with the team seventh in strikeouts at 82 (third in the AL) and ninth in WHIP (1.21, fourth in the AL). That includes a shaky first start by Ryan Dempster and an injury-stalled beginning for Lackey.

By themselves, the Red Sox’ starters’ numbers are hard to argue with. Lester is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts, and Buchholz is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Even Dempster (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 8 Ks), Doubront (0-0, 5.40 ERA, 6 Ks) and Lackey (0-1, 4.15 ERA, 8 Ks) are nowhere near the messy lines that Sox pitchers put up for months last year. The 2012 Red Sox were second-worst in the American League in both runs allowed (4.98) and ERA (4.70), with just Cleveland and Minnesota more horrendous at shutting teams down.

The stat lines of Boston’s starting pitchers may flatten somewhat, but the Red Sox’ strategy of sticking with their talent and making it sing again is already showing that it can stake Boston to success. A rested, effective bullpen has only bolstered that effort, with the Sox having yet to give up a lead in the late innings, as they did in about a third of their losses last year.

Contrast the Red Sox’ pitching situation with that of the Yankees. New York’s problem is less that it doesn’t have the talent and more that it is hoping to stretch that talent past its expiration date. The Yankees have the big guns of pitching, but they differ from the Red Sox in this area in that their pitching slumps cannot be as easily dismissed. When the Boston rotation falters, it has been attributed to a fixable quality like mental focus or chemistry. When the New York rotation falters, the concerns are much deeper.

CC Sabathia (1-1, 3.00 ERA, 9 Ks) has been the definition of an ace, but injuries are starting to creep up with age. Andy Pettitte (2-0, 1.20 ERA, 7 Ks) is unreal in starting games after a Yankees loss, but at 40, he doesn’t provide much hope beyond this season, and flukes like last year’s broken ankle show how quickly the team can come apart without him in the rotation. Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 6.75 ERA, 7 Ks) continues to be one of the best options for New York, but he’s also not a long-term solution (and, as another fluke injury showed, also a huge part of what’s holding the Yankees together). Phil Hughes (6.75 ERA, 0-1, 4 Ks) and Ivan Nova (0-1, 7.71 ERA, 5 Ks) have oscillated between brilliance, injury and ineffectiveness.

The Yankees are 22nd in MLB in ERA (4.89) and dead last in WHIP (1.71), coming off a year when they were fourth-best in runs allowed per game (4.12) and second in the American League in strikeouts. When their bats croaked in their playoff series against the Orioles last fall, their pitching dug them out. This year, however, that same mix of pitching is one year older and several stray balls more injured.

It can be said that the Red Sox and Yankees are both relying heavily on their pitching to carry them this year, but the difference is that the Red Sox are leaning on an adjustable foundation, while the Yankees are going all or nothing, and merely hoping for the all.

What the Yankees are depending on — and what the Sox have somewhat eschewed this year — is power hitting. What’s strange about this is that the Yankees have lost most of their power hitters, with Nick Swisher (24 home runs), Russell Martin (21), Raul Ibanez (19) and Andruw Jones (13) all gone in the offseason. Furthermore, New York’s biggest current bats are on the disabled list: Curtis Granderson (43), Mark Teixeira (24), Alex Rodriguez (18) and Derek Jeter (15). As every New York beat writer with a calculator has noted, that’s 72 percent of last year’s total home runs.

But the Yankees still have Robinson Cano, and they’ve added curious pieces like Travis Hafner, Kevin Youkilis and Lyle Overbay — players who are supposed to be washed up but have donned the pinstripes and started driving in runs instead. The Yankees have 15 home runs in eight games — tops in MLB — as well as 49 runs scored and 46 runs batted in, both second only to the Reds.

Their home runs have bailed them out in all their wins this year, and the Yankees have eight home runs over their last two games (coincidentally or not, both against Terry Francona’s Indians).

This Yankees lineup brings memories of the famous line from Catch Me If You Can, where the question is why the Yankees always win. “It’s because they have Mickey Mantle.” “No, it’s because everyone’s looking at their pinstripes.” A new wardrobe has instantly produced power for the players filling the stray holes in this lineup.

But that’s exactly why the Red Sox, and their meager nine home runs so far (six of them on Sunday, and three of those thanks to Will Middlebrooks), should not be worried. The Red Sox scored tons of runs last season (4.53 a game, fifth in the American League), and it didn’t help much thanks to the poor pitching. Even if the Yankees somehow repeat their 245 home runs from last year — improbable with this lineup — what happened in the playoffs shows the source of true power.

Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.

If the Red Sox finally have the rotation figured out, this could be a fun year. Whether it’s enough to hold off other American League teams and go somewhere is still a question.

But at least this much is certain: As the two perennial American League East powers come into this season with similar struggles and needs to achieve, the way they’ve won so far has been very different. And the one-week-in statistics are favoring the team that’s not staring at the pinstripes.

Now, let’s be clear. Not all Sox fans are hating on Drew, as many are excited for the offensive potential he’ll bring to the Boston lineup upon his return. A quick scan of some comments sections, message boards and various social media platforms, however, proves that there is a fair share of haters out there, and the reasoning for the skepticism is absurd.

First of all, Stephen Drew is not J.D. Drew. It’s unfortunate this even needs to be mentioned, but much of the heat Stephen is taking is due to his brother’s oft-criticized, five-year stint with the Red Sox. As soon as the shortstop signed this offseason, there were moans and groans about the Sox not learning their lesson, and some disgruntled fans even opted to recycle the always popular — and terrible — “Nancy Drew” label. Those growls only grew louder when Drew went down with a concussion after getting hit in the head by a pitch on March 7.

To compare two players’ injury histories is odd enough. Doing so simply because they’re brothers is silly, especially considering each player’s injury history is vastly different.

Stephen Drew was limited to 86 games in 2011 and 79 games last season because of a fractured right ankle he suffered while sliding into home. It was a gruesome injury that required surgery, yet some are willing to disregard that fact and instead look simply at the amount of games he missed over the last two seasons.

To say Drew comes with some risk is fair. No one is being asked to ignore his injury history altogether. But to call him “soft” — or some variation of the word — is unreasonable. Doing so because of his family ties is downright ridiculous, and that ridiculousness doesn’t even take into account how vastly overblown the criticism of J.D. Drew became.

J.D. Drew was a consistent threat to get on base, and he put up numbers that one could argue were better than those racked up by his beloved predecessor, Trot Nixon. J.D. Drew also played in just three fewer games than Kevin Youkilis  — Drew played in 525, Youkilis played in 528 — during the first four years of his five-year contract, yet Youkilis will forever be held in much higher regard.

Still, none of that matters. What matters is that Stephen Drew — his own person, believe it or not — was very durable from 2007 to 2010. We shouldn’t suddenly ignore that fact just because his Red Sox tenure is starting off on less-than-savory terms, or because there’s this awful perception that J.D. Drew was some injury-plagued slouch.

When healthy, Stephen Drew is a solid offensive shortstop. He’ll make the Red Sox’ lineup better, and that should be the biggest consideration regarding his impending return. The calls for Jose Iglesias to remain the starter are understandable given his hot start, but Drew could win people over in a hurry.

If Drew struggles after he gets back into the lineup, then have at it. Criticize all you want. Until that’s the case, though, let’s cut the guy some slack.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

But no matter how well or how poorly he was pitching, by the fifth inning you’d look down at the box score and, invariably, the now-25-year-old’s pitch count would suggest he wasn’t long for the game. That clearly needs to change if Doubront hopes to take the next step in his evolution as a pitcher. His stuff suggests that he has the potential to be as dominant as any pitcher in baseball. But pure stuff and potential don’t matter much if you can’t command it.

Throughout the year, most of Doubront’s struggles were attributed to his green status. However, according to some statistical heavy lifting on the part of The Providence Journal’s Tim Britton, it’s just patently false that pitchers intrinsically improve their command and pitch efficiency as they age, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for Doubront.

On the season, Doubront threw 2,868 pitches over the course of 161 innings, which works out to an average of 17.8 pitches per inning — just beating out Tim Lincecum for baseball’s worst rate among pitchers with at least 160 innings pitched on the season. That’s a mark that obviously needs to improve, but is it a function of maturity? Ask the coaches around Doubront last season, and that’s exactly what they’ll say.

“It’s just a learning process,” Red Sox pitching coach Randy Niemann said. “He’ll get it. He’s young in his development. The stuff is there — it’s just a matter of doing it. Pretty soon, those 18- to 20-pitch innings turn into 10- to 12-pitch innings, and now we’re deeper into the game with a better chance to win.”

“When he understands how to attack certain hitters, it’s going to be easier to throw less pitches and get more strikeouts and less walks,” echoed former manager Bobby Valentine.

But here’s the problem: There’s no statistical evidence that suggests a correlation between experience and pitch efficiency. No one is expecting Doubront to ever develop Cliff Lee‘s aversion to free passes, but everyone agrees he needs to learn to consistently work beyond the sixth inning to become the pitcher the Red Sox are counting on him to be.

To quote Britton’s article:

Contrary to popular belief, efficiency isn’t necessarily a learned skill. On the whole, veteran pitchers throw about the same number of pitches per inning as young pitchers. In 2012, 107 different pitchers have thrown at least 120 innings as starters, ranging from 21-year-old Jordan Lyles to 39-year-old Bartolo Colon. Pretty much regardless of age, they throw between 15.5 and 16.5 pitches per inning.

Pitchers 23 or younger average 16.0 pitches per inning, which is actually better than pitchers in their purported primes at 27-29 (16.2 per inning).

Furthermore, pitchers who have years like Doubront’s 2012 — years with more than 150 innings and more than 17.9 pitches per inning — haven’t shown a predilection for improvement with age. In fact, most of them run into problems. Pitchers such as Scott Kazmir and Jonathan Sanchez have not shown improved efficiency with age.

Britton goes on to note that Doubront averages more than four pitches per plate appearance, and he ends at-bats in three pitches or fewer just 40 percent of the time. Additionally, getting ahead in the count is not as much of an advantage as it should be, as Doubront has walked 9 percent of batters he’s faced after going up 1-2 in the count, which is just a tick below the 10.3 percent walk rate he has in all situations.

Does this mean that Doubront is indeed condemned to the future of fellow failed lefties Kazmir and Sanchez? Well, not necessarily. Kazmir actually showed improved pitch efficiency later in his time with the Rays and early with the Angels, but by that point he was also compensating for shoulder injuries, which sapped much of his velocity. Sanchez, meanwhile, appeared to a be bit of a head case who may be closer to Steve Blass than a pitcher who’s simply nibbling at the corners too much.

More to the point, Doubront gave some huge reasons for optimism to close the 2012 season. While many voices suggested shutting down the southpaw due to the fact that his innings workload had already surpassed any in his professional career, Doubront lobbied to stay in the rotation — a decision that paid off. In his last two starts, Doubront threw seven innings in each, walking just three over those 14 frames while striking out 21. And, most importantly, Doubront averaged 15.6 pitches per inning, showing noticeable improvement in his willingness or ability to attack the strike zone.

Nonetheless, Doubront’s late-season success is a reminder that the facets of the game where he needs improvement may not be a part of normal development. Rather, they will take real, tangible changes in his approach or mechanics to get better. For the Red Sox to contend in 2013, the rotation will need a fair amount of in-house improvement, and that starts with Doubront, who, as a sophomore, is expected to have not reached his ceiling yet.

By all accounts, Doubront knows the results he needs to change in order to evolve as a pitcher — he’s consistently acknowledged his efficiency shortcomings in interviews all year. But does he know what specific changes to make to his game, and does he have the mental discipline to make possibly drastic changes to an approach he likely hasn’t had to adjust in years?

The Red Sox are counting on it.

General manager Ben Cherington should ultimately use that line of reasoning in determining Andrew Bailey’s short-term future with the club.

Bailey’s name has been the subject of trade speculation ever since the Red Sox acquired Joel Hanrahan earlier this offseason and subsequently anointed the former Pirates closer the new ninth-inning man in Boston. Perhaps the rumors are just that, but the Rangers reportedly spoke with the Red Sox about Bailey, so it’s obvious that there’s at least some level of interest in the 28-year-old right-hander.

There’s been this assumption in the wake of the Hanrahan trade that the Red Sox could be willing to part ways with Bailey, who is slated to make $4.1 million this season. Upon the club signing Koji Uehara, another late-inning reliever, the gossip only seemed to intensify. But while the bullpen appears to be an area of depth for the Red Sox, the club should be in no rush to compromise that depth, unless it means significantly improving in another area. That seems unlikely, and therefore the Red Sox should hang up the phone faster than they picked it up when it comes to discussing a trade involving Bailey.

A recent FOXSports.com report suggested that the Red Sox could satisfy the Tigers’ desire to add late-inning relief help by trading them Bailey in exchange for starter Rick Porcello, who will earn a similar salary in 2013. That’s nice in that Porcello would give the Red Sox some added starting pitching depth, but why deal someone who could have an integral, carved-out role in pressure situations for someone who will more or less serve as a sixth starter? Wouldn’t Bailey, who has the ability to shorten games for Boston, hold much more value?

It’s understandable that Bailey’s name has come up, simply because of the big, ol’ elephant in the room. Bailey was a two-time All-Star while closing out games in Oakland, and surely he expected to resume such a role in Boston before Hanrahan was given the keys to the ninth. But Bailey has been the consummate professional throughout the entire transition, and it appears he’s more than willing to take on an eighth-inning setup role, with Uehara also working in a similar capacity.

The Red Sox should embrace Bailey’s willingness rather than fight it, and to their credit, they have. The club has a very formidable trio in place at the back end of the bullpen, and it’s one of the reasons that contending this season isn’t outside the realm of possibility. Therefore, to insist that the Sox rush into a deal or to label Bailey as “expendable” involves a failure to recognize the current strength of that unit.

The biggest reason that the Orioles were able to surprise everyone and reach the postseason in 2012 was because of the strength and depth of their bullpen. The O’s were 29-9 in one-run games and 16-2 in extra-inning games, which is obviously a reflection of being able to shut down opponents late in ballgames. By comparison, the Red Sox were 17-22 in one-run games and 2-10 in extra-inning games.

Five of the top seven teams in bullpen ERA made the playoffs in 2012, and six of the top seven in bullpen WHIP punched their tickets to the postseason. Obviously, there are plenty of factors that impact those numbers, including the performance of the starters, who must ensure that the bullpen isn’t taxed night in and night out. It’s still difficult to downplay the importance of a strong relief corps, though, especially coming off a season like 2012, in which the Red Sox were plagued by inconsistent starting pitching that led to Boston compiling the eighth-most bullpen innings in baseball.

If the Red Sox get blown away by a trade offer for Bailey, then, of course, they’d probably consider it, but that’s the case with any player. For now, the Sox are best served keeping what has the potential to be a dangerous, three-headed monster in place.

The phone can keep ringing with calls about Bailey, but expect the Red Sox to keep pressing “ignore.”

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Rick Porcello

Porcello has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski on Thursday denied sending out any proposals involving the right-hander, but he claimed that his “phone has been ringing a lot” and noted that Detroit would listen to offers. The number of scouts reportedly on hand for Porcello’s start on Wednesday only adds to the speculation, while also indicating that there is some interest across baseball.

The Padres and Rangers have reportedly been the teams most actively discussing a trade for Porcello, but they weren’t alone in having a look during the pitcher’s most recent minor league spring training start. The Red Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals and Orioles reportedly were among the other teams who scouted Porcello, although it’s unclear how much interest each of those teams has in pursuing a deal.

An earlier report indicated that the Red Sox are not currently pursuing Porcello, but they’ll likely be tossed around as potential suitors for a couple of reasons. First, manager John Farrell said recently that the Sox are seeking rotational depth, especially with Franklin Morales battling an injury that has him sidelined indefinitely. Second, Detroit is believed to be seeking bullpen help, and it just so happens that the pen looks to be an area of depth for Boston.

The original FOXSports.com report said that the Red Sox are reluctant to compromise their bullpen depth, but it also labeled the Sox as “another team with potential interest” and suggested that Boston could satisfy Detroit’s need for late-inning relief help by offering Andrew Bailey. Again, this is purely speculation, but the Red Sox should ensure it doesn’t go beyond just that.

Porcello, a first-round pick in 2007, put together a strong rookie campaign. He went 14-9 with a 3.96 ERA while finishing third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. Since then, however, he has failed to take the next step, and he’s now looked at as a fourth or fifth starter on most clubs. In Detroit, Porcello has been competing with Drew Smyly for the fifth spot in the team’s rotation.

Porcello holds a mediocre career stat line, having gone 48-42 with a 4.55 ERA in 120 career starts over four seasons, but because he is just 24, it’s understandable that some teams may consider giving Dombrowski a call, especially if the inquiring team severely needs rotational help. The Red Sox are in no such position, though, so dealing from an area of strength — like the bullpen — would only seem to lessen the overall quality of the ballclub.

Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington may want to add rotational depth, and last season proved that injuries can take their toll at any given moment, but the Red Sox would be better served pursuing a low-cost free agent that wouldn’t require them to part ways with any talent. The need for a sixth starter just isn’t glaring enough to consider dealing a guy like Bailey, who figures to be a key cog at the back end of Boston’s bullpen.

The Orioles proved last season that a strong bullpen can have a huge impact, as the O’s went 29-9 in one-run games and 16-2 in extra-inning games. The Sox have a strong foundation in place — particularly at the back end, where Bailey and Koji Uehara will be setting up for Joel Hanrahan — so why mess with what could be a difference-maker without any significant gain?

The Red Sox still have Alfredo Aceves, who is currently being stretched out to serve as a spot starter, and promising, young hurlers Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa are just a phone call away. That should be enough to overcome any rotational mishaps, and it definitely should be enough for the Red Sox to refrain from considering a deal for Porcello, who comes with a mostly unimpressive track record.

As for the Tigers, they definitely need bullpen help. That being said, they’ll be kicking themselves if Porcello manages to tap into his potential after being dealt away for anything less than above-average talent. After all, he’s looked pretty good this spring, so there are reasons to be optimistic if you’re the Tigers.

Essentially, it boils down to a conflict over what Porcello is worth. A trade involving the righty would require each team involved to gamble, and after looking at the risk versus reward, it’s a gamble that will come only after a great deal of hesitancy.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Daniel Nava

Nava got the Red Sox on the scoreboard in the second inning of Thursday’s game with a sacrifice fly to left-center field following a lengthy at-bat in which he worked the count full. It was the only RBI that Nava was credited for in the game, but one could argue that he was directly responsible for the five-run seventh inning that fueled Boston’s 6-1 victory over the Phillies.

Michael Stutes came on to pitch the seventh for Philadelphia, and he got two quick outs before walking Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Nava came up next and extended the inning by earning a free pass, but it was the hustle he demonstrated after reaching base that proved to be a difference-maker.

Jose Iglesias chopped a ground ball to Yuniesky Betancourt at short. Betancourt flipped to Freddy Galvis at second base for what would normally be an easy force out to end the inning. Nava was hustling all the way, though, and he beat out Betancourt’s flip, which allowed Matty Johnson — who pinch ran for Saltalamacchia — to come all the way around with Boston’s second run. A Shane Victorino bases-clearing triple and a Dustin Pedroia RBI double later, the Red Sox held a 6-1 lead that they’d never relinquish.

It’s hardly the first time that Nava has made an impact this spring. Following Thursday’s game, in which he also added a single, the 30-year-old is hitting .325 (13-for-40) in Grapefruit League play. The real value, however, has been Nava’s typical willingness to play whatever role is required.

It didn’t take long for Nava, who was expected to spend last season at Triple-A Pawtucket, to be called upon in 2012. He was called up prior to Boston’s May 10 game, and he ended up compiling 317 plate appearances in 88 games for the injury-plagued Red Sox. He hit just .243 in that span, but the switch-hitting outfielder had an on-base percentage of .383 in 222 plate appearances against lefties, proving he’s a solid option as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Nava has become more than that this spring, though. With the Red Sox needing a solid backup to the recently signed Mike Napoli, Nava has broken out the first baseman’s mitt and played 18 innings at a position he’s never played at either the major league or minor league level.

Nava has looked fairly comfortable down at first base in his limited action, and the added versatility will give the Red Sox some more flexibility going forward. There’s a good chance the Red Sox will opt to keep Mike Carp and/or Lyle Overbay — two players who are also competing for the backup first baseman gig — but Nava’s willingness to play first base opens up more lineup possibilities for manager John Farrell. That’s important given David Ortiz‘s uncertain health status.

Nava will always find it difficult to secure an everyday spot in the lineup, especially in Boston, where the talent level is so often high. But he’s proven in the past that he has the makings of a big leaguer, and this spring has only solidified that notion.

This season’s media guide should reflect it.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Ross went 0-for-3 against the Yankees on Wednesday, dropping his spring average to .050 (1-for-20) and his on-base percentage to .240. He has struck out seven times in 20 at-bats, and his lone hit was a three-run home run against the Rays on March 10. Despite the lack of production at the plate, though, Ross is working to get more familiar with the team’s pitching staff, and Wednesday was another step forward in that regard.

Red Sox starter Felix Doubront got lit up in the second inning against the Bronx Bombers. He allowed four runs on five hits in the frame, which paved the way for a 4-0 New York win. But while Doubront got hit hard, Ross was quick to rush to his pitcher’s defense after the game, even shouldering much of the blame.

“I was out of synch with him, not knowing his pitching style and how he gets out of trouble,” Ross told reporters in Tampa. “I think that bad inning was as much to do with me as anything.”

“I don’t think I called a great game, especially in that inning. It got better as we went. But I really think I was a big hinderance in that bad inning.”

Given Ross’ marginal offensive potential, the 36-year-old’s leadership and game-calling skills need to be apparent in order to justify the two-year, $6.2 million deal he signed with the Red Sox this offseason. Seeing Ross shoulder the blame on Wednesday doesn’t immediately prove a whole lot, but such accountability is still refreshing. Manager John Farrell stressed the importance of each player in the Red Sox’ clubhouse holding himself accountable this season, and it’s a theme that seems to have taken off in the months since the skipper’s hiring.

What was most encouraging about Ross standing up for his pitcher, though, was his acknowledgment that adjustments needed to be made and were made in the wake of the second-inning implosion. Anyone can stand up and take the heat following a difficult team performance, but when flaws can be recognized and overall damage can thus be minimized, the potential for success becomes much greater. There were too many times last season when things spiraled out of control for the Red Sox’ starters, and it led to short outings and the bullpen consistently getting taxed.

Take away the second inning on Wednesday, and Doubront’s outing wasn’t all that bad. It looked as if the left-hander had a one-way ticket to the showers, but he battled back to pitch 2 1/3 more scoreless innings before exiting in the fifth. That not only kept the Red Sox in the game, but it meant valuable time for the two battery mates.

“What I want to learn is the fixes mechanically,” Ross said. “I learned today [that] posture is a big deal for him. If I learn that, I can coach in the middle of a pitch or the middle of an at-bat, ‘That one ball, you cut your changeup. You’re just bending over and getting to the side of it. Keep your posture.’ He’ll be like, ‘OK.’ That’s the thing I want to learn — to fix the problem in the middle of the battle.”

It’s that “let’s fix this thing, here and now” mindset that needs to be adopted by the entire team. (And it appears the wheels are already in motion.) It’s especially important when it comes to the starting pitching, though, and Ross could play a big role in getting everyone on the same page.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Jose Iglesias

It looks like the 23-year-old still has the check, though, and he has a couple of weeks left to cash it in.

Drew is slated to be Boston’s starting shortstop this season when he returns from his concussion, which he suffered after taking a pitch to the helmet on March 7. Drew is still experiencing symptoms, however, and it’s becoming increasingly likely that he won’t be ready for the team’s season opener on April 1.

Even if Drew only misses a limited amount of time to begin the season — which is unclear given the unpredictable nature of concussions — Iglesias is among those with an opportunity to seize the interim starting gig. In order to win the job, he’ll need to continue showing developments offensively, although he’s been far more impressive this spring than he was while playing with the big club at the end of 2012.

Iglesias hit a putrid .118 (8-for-68) with just three extra-base hits and two RBIs in 25 games last season. That caused his stock to plummet, as there became a legitimate concern as to whether he would ever put it all together offensively. It’s still a concern, but Iglesias, who reported to camp having put on 15 pounds of muscle, has shown strides.

“The aggressiveness in the swing, and the hard contact, have shown up here in the times he’s been on the field,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after Saturday’s game. “It’s been very encouraging.”

Iglesias went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs in Saturday’s 9-2 victory over the Rays. The performance raised his average this spring to .237 (9-for-38), and he enters Sunday’s game with a home run, four doubles, a triple, five RBIs and five runs. His on-base percentage is still a subpar .275, but the increased pop has been obvious.

The thing about Iglesias is that his glovework is so stellar that he doesn’t need be a great hitter. In fact, as long as he can just hold his own in the batter’s box, he becomes an intriguing option based solely on his defensive aptitude. From that standpoint, there is reason to be optimistic about his play this spring.

Iglesias’ competition for earning a starting spot come Opening Day — if Drew isn’t ready — includes the likes of Pedro Ciriaco and Brock Holt.

Ciriaco has put together a solid spring, batting .333 (10-for-30) with five RBIs and three stolen bases, but he was scratched from Friday’s starting lineup because of back spasms. Any day he’s not in the lineup opens up more of an opportunity for Iglesias to put a stranglehold on the job.

Holt, meanwhile, has been relatively unimpressive at the dish, batting an even .200 (8-for-40), so Iglesias likely has a leg up on him at this point.

Even if Drew is unable to start the season, Iglesias isn’t going to have anything handed to him. He still holds that check, though, so it’s time to find a pen and fill that bad boy out.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

John Lackey

Lackey made another successful leap on Saturday, when he tossed five innings and threw 83 pitches (48 strikes) in a minor league spring training game against the Triple-A version of the Rays. He allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out five, but it was the workload that was most notable. The outing marked the first time that Lackey, who missed all of the 2012 season because of Tommy John surgery, went five innings in a game since Sept. 25, 2011.

A couple of weeks from now, the hope for the Red Sox is that five innings will represent a rather short day when it comes to their starters. Lackey’s five innings are on par with where the rest of the rotation is at innings-wise at this point in spring training, though, and it’s even more encouraging considering where the 34-year-old was just months ago.

Lackey, of course, stumbled through two disappointing seasons in Boston after signing his lucrative five-year deal, which already put him out of favor amongst much of the Red Sox’ fan base. Then, with the team’s 2011 collapse still fresh, general manager Ben Cherington announced that Lackey would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending the pitcher’s 2012 season before it ever began.

At that point in time, it was not only easy to write off Lackey, but it was also the logical thing to do. To his credit, he’s battled back, and it’s now to the point where there’s plenty of light at the end of the tunnel. Expectations are tempered “for sure” (to take a phrase from Lackey), but there seems to be a growing confidence that he could be a valuable contributor at the back end of the Boston rotation.

That’s another hurdle for another day, though. At this point, it’s about continuing to build up arm strength while improving his secondary pitches. Lackey’s command wasn’t great on Saturday — as evidenced by his 57.8 percent strike rate — but his overall stuff is still trending in the right direction.

“I tried to elevate the fastball a couple of times and was able to do that,” Lackey told reporters after his outing. “I was really happy that I had a couple guys on and I went for some strikeouts and was able to get those.

“Got some swing-and-misses on some breaking pitches and that was kind of a good sign. The [changeup] is a little bit harder, a little more action. It’s almost like a slower two-seam, a little more action that way.”

Still, the biggest hurdles Lackey has faced have been the mental ones. He’s cleared those with ease, and it almost feels as if the Red Sox have a new pitcher in the mix. He looks confident, sounds confident and apparently feels confident, and the club is thus optimistic about what he might bring to the table in 2013.

Pitching coach Juan Nieves was on hand for Lackey’s start on Saturday. He lauded the pitcher’s performance, pointing to the righty’s mental toughness, release point and delivery as signs of encouragement, even if it did come against minor league competition.

“I’ve seen many guys in the back field getting hammered,” Nieves said of Lackey’s outing. “He was able to keep his intensity up. He knows that he’s a professional. Every challenge he’s faced with he needs to take the bull by the horns. He’s done that.”

Lackey has made it clear that all of his “elbow stuff” is in the rearview mirror. He’ll need to pitch well enough early and often this season, however, to ensure that the struggles that tarnished his first two seasons in Boston are also a distant memory.

“I feel like as far as the rehab, we still got a few more times to go,” Lackey said. “But up to this point, it’s gone about as good as I could hope for.”

It’s also gone about as good as the Red Sox could have hoped. Now, it’s time to raise the bar another notch.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Just as Manny Ramirez‘s actions often couldn’t be explained, Alfredo Aceves‘ behavior frequently leaves Red Sox fans scratching their heads. At this rate, there’s going to be a spike in Rogaine sales in the Boston area in 2013.

The Red Sox are once again forced to answer questions regarding Aceves following Saturday’s game, and the right-hander’s every move will most definitely be critiqued from here on out. Even in situations that aren’t all that alarming, Aceves won’t be afforded the benefit of the doubt, and it’s really the direct result of his own wrongdoing.

Recently, Aceves’ behavior has generated plenty of negative feedback. He was suspended last season for conduct detrimental to the team. He was spoken to by manager John Farrell earlier this spring following a rather unusual live batting practice session. And last weekend, he was at the center of an eyebrow-raising melee during the World Baseball Classic.

On Saturday, Aceves found himself in the middle of another dispute. This time, it was Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez who took exception to Aceves’ aggressiveness.

Aceves gave up a monster home run to Rodriguez during the third inning of Saturday’s spring training contest. When Rodriguez came up for his next at-bat in the fifth, Aceves drilled him in the back, leading to a shouting match. Rodriguez had to be restrained, and several Rays players emerged from the first-base dugout before order was restored.

It wasn’t a huge incident by any means, but given Aceves’ recent track record, one couldn’t help but have a, “here we go again,” sort of feeling as everything unfolded in Port Charlotte. And what’s most troubling for the Red Sox is that going forward, any time Aceves is involved in anything that might have the slightest bit of negativity to it, a firestorm is bound to ensue.

Saturday’s incident serves as Exhibit A. If anyone else had drilled Rodriguez, the incident likely would have flown under the radar, even if there were some words briefly exchanged. But because it was the always polarizing Aceves who did the plunking, everyone immediately assumed the worst, and we’re thus faced with another instance of “Alfredo being Alfredo.”

Believe him or not, Aceves said after the game that there was no ill intent on the pitch that hit Rodriguez.

“He got hit, by a pitch. It was obviously not intentional,” Aceves told reporters. “The score was 3-2. Plus, it was a split-finger. Not even a fastball.

“He was mad because he got hit. It was obviously, like I said, not intentional. I understand his last at-bat he hit a homer. He probably thinks it was intentional. Like I said, 3-2 ballgame, you don’t want to get nobody on the bases and tie the game. Plus, like I say, it was a split-finger. I understand he’s probably upset or frustrated.”

Rodriguez was clearly frustrated, and he isn’t alone in that frustration. Aceves is a versatile pitcher who figures to be the Red Sox’ primary spot starter with Franklin Morales out, but the concerns about his behavior overshadow his potential value in the minds of many.

Those within the Red Sox’ organization appear willing to stick by their pitcher despite the troublesome antics. General manager Ben Cherington reportedly said recently that Aceves won’t be released, and Farrell stood by his pitcher after Saturday’s game.

“He said he threw a split and it got away from him,” Farrell said. “I can tell you this: We don’t intentionally look to hit any hitters in any situations. Anytime anybody gets hit, you’re hopeful that nothing happens to the player that did get hit. All I can go by is what I asked Alfredo, and that’s what he told me. I repeat that we’re not looking to hit anybody.”

Perhaps Aceves is telling the truth and he didn’t hit Rodriguez on purpose. It would make sense considering it was only a spring training game, but because a lot of Aceves’ antics don’t have much rhyme or reason, we’re at least left wondering. (Plus, there’s the fact that Rodriguez hit a game-winning home run off Aceves last May.) Whatever the case may be, it’s impossible to get into the mind of Aceves, yet everyone is going to try because his resume is quickly becoming one of the most unique in baseball.

The safe bet is that Alfredo will continue to be Alfredo, for better or worse. Now, we’re all just waiting for his next move.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

The 23-year-old has been lights out this spring, allowing just two earned runs in 11 innings while striking out 14 and walking only one in four Grapefruit League contests. The right-hander has also looked every bit as impressive as the stat line indicates, so there is reason to believe he could make an impact with the Red Sox as soon as this season.

The Red Sox’ Opening Day rotation appears set at this point — with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Ryan Dempster, John Lackey and Felix Doubront taking up the unit’s five spots — meaning Webster will likely head down to Triple-A Pawtucket before the games start counting for real on April 1. The young hurler has proved this spring, though, that if and when the injury bug bites the Sox, inefficiency proves detrimental to the rotation or the need for a change emerges, he’ll be standing by, ready to bring his talent to the big club.

The Sox knew they were getting a pair of impressive pitchers from the Dodgers in last August’s megadeal. Webster and Rubby De La Rosa were both highly touted prospects, so the deal was much more than just the salary dump it appeared to be on the surface. Now, given what’s transpired this spring, we’re seeing just how lopsided that deal has the potential to be.

De La Rosa has shown off his amazing stuff on multiple occasions, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Webster will be minor league option No. 1 if and when the Red Sox are forced to turn to the farm for pitching help. De La Rosa could also find himself in Boston by year’s end, but given his 2011 Tommy John surgery and the limitations on the amount of innings the Sox would like to see him pitch, Webster seems like a more likely candidate to get the first call-up. And from what we’ve seen, that call-up could come sooner rather than later.

Webster was ranked as the No. 49 prospect in baseball by Baseball America this offseason, and his stock is undoubtedly rising, mainly because he’s showing improvements in what were once thought to be areas of concern.

“The strike-throwing ability, particularly early in the count … has maybe been somewhat better than anticipated,” Farrell told reporters in Fort Myers after Tuesday’s game. “The one thing that he’s grasping is that with his stuff and the action of his two-seamer, he doesn’t have to pitch to a third of the plate. He can be more aggressive on the white part of the plate, and it’s allowed him to pitch and at least execute strike one at a higher rate. It just opens up so many more options for him. In a nutshell, it’s his ability to attack the strike zone, strike one.”

Farrell’s excitement is understandable. Since taking over, he has consistently preached an aggressive approach, especially early on in counts. Webster’s aggressiveness, efficiency and control have all been encouraging not only because of his age, but also because his biggest vice entering this spring was thought to be his command. Now, the righty’s 4.2 walks per nine innings in 29 Double-A starts last season seem like a distant memory, and Webster is exhibiting the poise and confidence of a bona fide major leaguer.

When you add those elements to a mix that already includes some of the most electric stuff you’ll come across, it’s easy to see that Webster’s future is not only bright, but it’s also on the cusp of becoming the present.

The change in Webster’s control stems largely from a few tweaks in his mechanics, but it’s the building confidence that could prove to be the ultimate difference-maker in his game. The only thing better than a pitcher with great natural stuff is one who has confidence that he can get anyone out with that stuff.

“To have the kind of secondary weapons that he has, and what’s been impressive is young pitchers that are able to throw that changeup in a 3-2 count,” Farrell said. “He’s showing the ability to throw breaking ball to both sides of the plate in addition to a live fastball, heavy sink. He’s done a very good job.”

A “very good job” might not be enough to warrant a spot in the big league rotation out of camp, especially since Webster hasn’t pitched above the Double-A level. However, a few months from now, when the circumstances surrounding Boston’s rotation inevitably change, it might be difficult — or near impossible — to delay Webster’s big league debut any longer.

Webster has been that impressive. And that’s a “pretty damn good” thing for the Red Sox.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Brennan Boesch

The 27-year-old outfielder, who was released by the Tigers on Wednesday, has had an appetite for streaking throughout his three-year career. When he’s been good, he’s been really good. And when he’s been bad, it’s been unbearable.

Given that level of inconsistency, the Red Sox would be better off filling out their roster from within, even if Boesch’s ceiling is a bit higher than some of the other options currently in place.

Boesch exploded onto the scene with the Tigers in 2010 after being ranked the organization’s 25th-best prospect that spring. In 65 first-half games (267 plate appearances), he posted a .342 average, .397 on-base percentage, .593 slugging percentage, 12 home runs and 49 RBIs as an up-and-coming 25-year-old. It was enough to put him alongside some elite company, and it even led to him being considered an American League All-Star snub.

Then, as is often the case with young hitters, pitchers started adjusting to Boesch, realizing that he has a tendency to swing at anything and everything. That led to the outfielder pulling one of the biggest 180′s imaginable. He followed up his sizzling first half with a second half that saw him post a .163 average, .237 on-base percentage, .222 slugging percentage, two home runs and 18 RBIs in 68 games (245 plate appearances).

Understandably, 2010′s Jekyll and Hyde act generated some concern. Boesch had to again prove himself, as he had essentially undone all that he accomplished in the first half of 2010 with his historically bad second half. Boesch impressed early in 2011, putting up a .306 average, .360 on-base percentage, .490 slugging percentage, 12 home runs and 44 RBIs in 84 first-half games (347 plate appearances). But sure enough, as was the case in 2010, Boesch’s production plummeted off a cliff following the Midsummer Classic, and he posted a .219 average, .288 on-base percentage, .368 slugging percentage, four home runs and 10 RBIs in 31 second-half games (125 plate appearances) before undergoing season-ending thumb surgery.

Boesch’s entire 2012 season was unremarkable, with his highest of highs failing to turn heads and his lowest of lows showing that there are still some significant flaws in his game. Boesch’s biggest asset has always been his bat, but he finished the season with a .240 average, .286 on-base percentage, 12 home runs and 54 RBIs in 132 games. That obviously didn’t sit well with the Tigers, especially since he’s fairly limited defensively — something that had disastrous potential in a very large Comerica Park outfield.

A team will give Boesch a big league opportunity, and some team should, simply to see if he can finally put it all together offensively for a full season. According to various reports, the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Astros are all at least considering the idea. In the case of Boston, though, it’d be wise to step back and let someone else take the flier.

Manager John Farrell has a lot to figure out before Opening Day now that it’s looking less and less likely that David Ortiz will be ready. Those questions have the potential to be answered internally, though.

While Boesch is a left-handed hitting outfielder — something the Red Sox made a priority during the offseason — he actually has better numbers against lefties, which makes him a less-than-ideal platoon option to put alongside Jonny Gomes, a right-handed hitter who fares better against lefties.

In addition to the concerning righty/lefty splits, Boesch’s approach at the dish doesn’t exactly coincide with Boston’s 2013 offensive approach, which appears to be largely centered on patience and discipline. Boesch has swung at 39.5 percent of the pitches he’s seen outside the strike zone since 2010, which is the 14th-worst mark in baseball, and pitchers continue to exploit that flaw. Of the pitches Boesch has faced since 2010, 40.9 percent have been outside the strike zone, which is the 10th-highest among qualified big league hitters. That means Boesch needs to make adjustments. Otherwise, it’s hard to envision him ever reaching his maximum potential on a consistent basis, because hurlers will continue to pitch to his weakness.

As far as the bench outfield options that the Red Sox currently have, Jackie Bradley Jr. seems like the popular choice because of his superb defense, immense potential and spring training production thus far. The club could ultimately decide he needs more minor league seasoning, though, in which case Daniel Nava, Lyle Overbay and Mike Carp figure to garner some playing time in the Boston outfield.

Perhaps none of those players are capable of going on a month-long tear, but it’s hard to envision Boesch doing so in Boston either. Boesch likely wouldn’t garner much playing time, and for a guy who has stuck around the bigs because of some streaky hitting, that could decrease his overall value even more.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison

“When you’re playing that well, you tend to push the door open for yourself,” manager Mike Scioscia said at the time of one Mike Trout, about two days before he was finally called up.

Well, while he may not have quite the limitless ceiling of the Angels star, Jackie Bradley Jr. is also pushing doors open with his play this spring. Heck, he’s not just pushing them open, he’s slamming them so hard they’re falling of their hinges.

After a pinch hit single in Tuesday’s Grapefruit League matchup with the Blue Jays, the 22-year-old Red Sox center field prospect is 15-for-28 this spring, including a home run, two doubles and five walks. Likewise, despite a highly questionable error called on him on Tuesday, Bradley’s also looked stellar defensively roaming the outfield.

In short, Bradley has done everything humanly possible to prove during the spring that he deserves to not only break camp with the Red Sox, but that he deserves some regular at-bats with the big club, as well.

Of course, the argument against Bradley breaking camp with the Sox (such as written here by NESN.com Red Sox beat writer Ricky Doyle) is an easy one to formulate: He only has 271 plate appearances above Single-A, and hasn’t consistently had to face pitchers who can locate their stuff yet. Moreover, some question whether it makes sense to move him temporarily to a corner outfield spot, and even service time and free agency come into play — if Bradley starts the season in Boston rather than getting called up in, say, June, he hits the open market after the 2018 season rather than after the 2019 season.

However, all these arguments are moot for two reasons: 1) Bradley is proving he’s ready for the big league challenge, and 2) he can help the Red Sox win right now.

While it is something of a concern that Bradley hasn’t faced much advanced pitching, his incredible patience at the plate — he walked 87 times in 575 plate appearances between Single- and Double-A last season — suggests a player who will be a viable major league hitter, even if he has to adjust on the fly. But moreover, Bradley can affect the game in so many different ways — with his glove, arm and legs, as well — that it’s almost impossible to imagine a scenario where he wouldn’t be a plus player right now at the major league level.

Additionally, some of the peripheral concerns about Bradley’s development are just absurd.

The Angels have shown no hesitation in moving Trout to left field this spring, despite the fact that he played Gold Glove-caliber defense in center last season. Likewise, the team routinely inserted Peter Bourjos as a defensive substitution in center late in games last year, moving Trout to left, and the only complaints you hear about it are from Trout’s agent — who’s concerned with Trout’s value, not his ability to play center.

Additionally, service time concerns just shouldn’t be a consideration with the perpetual win-now Red Sox. In short, Boston is not Tampa Bay, and the team should not pretend to act as such. The Rays make decisions like the one they undoubtedly will this year when they keep uber-prospect Wil Myers in the minors to start the season because they have to. Tampa Bay just doesn’t have the resources to often lock up their free agents or even keep players in the latter years of arbitration.

The Red Sox do have these resources, so the suggestion that Boston should do business like they do in Tampa Bay is nothing short of absurd.

In short, Bradley may not be the slam-dunk impact player that Trout was, but his plate discipline, in particular, is a very strong indicator that he won’t be overwhelmed in the big leagues. Given his unparalleled performance this spring and plethora of game-changing tools, Bradley’s practically a player the Red Sox can’t afford not to keep — if they want to win now, that is.

The Angels waited 20 games into their 2012 season — during which time they went 6-14 — before calling up Trout. Los Angeles missed out on the playoffs by four games, so if they had simply played .500 ball to start the year, they would have been in the postseason.

Could Bradley make a similar impact with the Red Sox? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure: Bradley is too talented and has proven too much this spring for Boston to play “what if” games and risk regretting not giving the talented youngster a shot later.

Alfredo Aceves

Baseball fans were given a strange surprise on Saturday when Canada and Mexico traded punches during their World Baseball Classic showdown. The brawl started after things got a little feisty in the ninth inning.

Mexico pitcher Arnold Leon, upset that Canada catcher Chris Robinson dropped down a bunt single while leading 9-3, twice threw inside at Rene Tosoni. That prompted a warning from home-plate umpire Brian Gorman, but the message was clearly disregarded, as Leon then plunked Tosoni on the shoulder with his third pitch.

From there, chaos ensued, with both teams converging on the middle of the diamond, and skirmishes breaking out off to the side. One of the most visible combatants was none other than Aceves.

In Aceves’ defense, it looked as if he was the victim more than the instigator in this instance, and his rage seemed to be the product of having been wrestled to the ground from behind by Canada outfielder Tyson Gillies. That being said, the right-hander was ejected from the game, and now the Red Sox have to worry about a possible suspension.

FOXSports.com’s Jon Morosi reports that because MLB suspensions apply to the WBC, it seems likely that a WBC suspension could carry over to the MLB season. It’s unclear at this point whether Aceves will be handed a suspension for his participation in the brawl, but the mere possibility has to have the Red Sox a little bit miffed.

Of all the drawbacks that the World Baseball Classic has, a suspension-creating, injury-threatening brawl seemed like the least of anyone’s concern. In fact, one criticism of the WBC has been that some major league players aren’t exactly sold on the idea of the tournament, which has subsequently brought into question the actual compete level displayed throughout the event.

Saturday’s brawl, while showing that the participating players are taking things seriously, will do little to excite MLB executives who watch as their players take time out of MLB spring training to play in the tourney. It certainly captured the Red Sox’ attention, although the organization was likely keeping a watchful eye on the pitcher to begin with.

Aceves’ unusual behavior has often overshadowed how valuable a pitcher he could be. With an ability to both start and work out of the bullpen, Aceves has the potential to be an asset to any pitching staff, but his sometimes questionable behavior immediately raises the question of whether or not he’s worth the hassle.

On the surface, most would probably say, “no.” Aceves was suspended in what was a rather controversial 2012 season, and he turned heads earlier this spring training with some strange antics during a live batting practice session. However, after looking at Aceves’ production — 10-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 55 appearances in 2011 — and the questions that still circle Boston’s big league rotation entering 2013, there’s reason to believe the manager John Farrell and the Sox will still try to see this one out.

What is ultimately working against Aceves, though, is that his services may be becoming less and less required. The Red Sox appear to have a ton of bullpen depth, and the team’s most notable up-and-coming hurlers, Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, have looked as though they’re ready for a big league call-up if something goes awry within the major league rotation.

If there was one good thing to come out of Saturday’s crazy brawl, it was that Aceves’ Red Sox teammates seem to have his back, as they reportedly cheered him on while watching the madness unfold on TV in Fort Myers. But that has never really been much of a question, and Aceves’ future will instead come down to whether or not the club thinks his value on the mound is worth the risk of any more random acts of controversial behavior in the future.

Aceves hasn’t fallen through the ice yet, but the weather is warming up and he needs to find stable ground fast.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Click here to see the huge brawl >>

Carl Crawford

Crawford again spoke out about his time in Boston during an interview with CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler. The outfielder acknowledged that he didn’t produce while donning a Sox jersey, but he also insisted that Boston just wasn’t the right fit for him.

That may be so, but why continue to harp on the disappointing two seasons, especially if you’re trying to put the whole experience in the rearview mirror?

The biggest problem with Crawford’s ongoing desire to speak out is that he’s walking a fine line. We all know his stint with the Sox was disappointing, so in repeatedly reverting back to the argument while in a new environment, he’s running the risk of a similar storyline unfolding all over again.

Crawford, who has yet to play a game with the Dodgers, has already experienced another injury setback, and it’s looking like the 31-year-old might not be ready for Opening Day. In other words, this spring is falling exactly in line with what plagued Crawford during his time in Boston — an inability to stay on the field.

What apparently disgruntled Crawford most about Beantown, though, was the media’s treatment.

“That smile turned upside down quick,” Crawford reportedly said. “I think they want to see that in Boston. They love it when you’re miserable. Burying people in the media, they think that makes a person play better. That media was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

Perhaps Crawford has a point, but it isn’t one that hasn’t been made a thousand times over. And in Crawford’s case, it’s a point that loses validity given the facts surrounding his time in Boston.

Crawford signed a seven-year, $142 million contract, and then proceeded to provide the club with a .260 average, 14 home runs, 75 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 161 games during a two-year stretch. On what planet is that not cause for criticism, especially given how lucrative the deal was that brought him into the pressure-packed situation?

Yes, Boston is a difficult place to play, mainly because of the high expectations of the fans, the media and the organization. When someone doesn’t perform up to snuff, he’s generally going to hear about it, but it’s really just the nature of the business. To suggest that Crawford somehow got the short end of the stick would be to completely overlook the fact that he set the franchise back by not producing.

Fortunately for the Red Sox, they were able to execute last August’s blockbuster and rid themselves of many headaches going forward. Crawford still seems hell bent on trying to reignite those headaches, though, and in the process, he’s just making himself look foolish.

Crawford still has plenty of talent, and despite a two-season setback, he could once again flourish, especially now that he’s blessed with a new beginning in Los Angeles. However, by continuing to look back instead of forward, Crawford is setting himself up to fail.

But who knows? Maybe we’re just “burying” him for nothing again.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

The Dodgers? Not so much.

Boston was immediately praised in the aftermath of its 2012 megadeal with Los Angeles. The Red Sox somehow found a way to shed more than $250 million in unsavory player salaries, thus setting themselves up for a more fruitful future. The Dodgers, meanwhile, rolled the dice that Crawford, Gonzalez and Beckett will all play up to their potential with a change of scenery and, in turn, push L.A. over the top in the National League. But as a new season approaches, and Crawford prepares to potentially miss his second consecutive Opening Day (this time in a Dodgers uniform), it’s quite obvious that life has improved at the Boston baseball scene, even if the Dodgers enter 2013 as the more talented team.

The Sox started last season with plenty of talent on their roster, yet the September collapse of 2011, the hiring of Bobby Valentine and the burden of having poor contracts on the payroll dampened the mood and brought out the pessimist in most. Some pessimists remain as we enter the 2013 campaign, but it’s more because of questions about the Red Sox’ current talent level in comparison to the rest of the teams in the American League East. It’s no longer because of factors that seem very much beyond the team’s control.

The Red Sox might finish under .500 this season, or they could enjoy a huge bounce-back year and contend amongst their AL East brethren. Regardless of one’s expectations, though, the Red Sox should feel refreshed after enjoying an offseason free of the pre-blockbuster headaches.

There were no cries to move Beckett. There were no questions to be answered regarding his clubhouse behavior. And there are no longer any concerns about whether he’s holding back Jon Lester and stunting the development of the organization’s other hurlers.

There were also no complaints regarding Gonzalez. There were no gripes about his power outage. There was no nitpicking his overall impact on the lineup. And we no longer had to listen to comparisons between Gonzalez’s Red Sox tenure and the time when Manny Ramirez formed a potent 1-2 punch with David Ortiz.

As for the whole Crawford debacle? Let’s just say that not having to worry about if and when he’ll play, who will replace him or whether he’ll ever return to All-Star form are all reasons for Ben Cherington to sleep a little easier.

The Red Sox have plenty of new faces this season, all of which have good clubhouse reputations. That hardly guarantees a winning squad, but it certainly makes the Sox a much more likeable team, especially when you see the players that were shipped away still struggle to overcome their vices.

The spring emergence of Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster — two pitchers acquired in August’s trade — only enhances the notion that the Sox are in a much better place than they were seven months ago.

Will the Red Sox enjoy more success than the Dodgers in 2013? Probably not. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Dodgers, having spent wildly, will someday experience a major hangover. The Red Sox already suffered through that hangover, and now they’re feeling refreshed.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

The Red Sox on Wednesday acquired Carp from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. WEEI.com’s Alex Speier reports that the Red Sox are not expected to part ways with a prospect of significance in the deal, which means the cost of acquiring Carp is essentially a small financial commitment and a spot on the club’s 40-man roster.

When you consider the very low risk of nabbing Carp, the deal certainly makes sense. Carp struggled last season, hitting just .213 in 164 at-bats, and he’s only a career .255 hitter with a .327 on-base percentage. He did show some promise in 2011, though, hitting .276 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 290 at-bats. At only 26 years old, there’s plenty of reason to believe Carp might be able to replicate or exceed those 2011 numbers in the future if given the opportunity, so why not bring him in in exchange for small potatoes?

There’s still a chance Lyle Overbay, who the Red Sox signed earlier this offseason, could land the job of Mike Napoli‘s backup, but Carp provides more versatility given his experience at both first base and in the outfield. Plus, he — like Overbay — is a left-handed bat, so he could spell Jonny Gomes, a right-handed hitter who has performed much better against lefties throughout his career. Carp has the ability to work counts, and he’s not a bad defender at first or in the outfield, so he fits exactly the mold that general manager Ben Cherington has been seeking in a bench player as we inch closer to Opening Day.

Versatility is definitely the main reason Carp could be the option the Red Sox eventually elect to keep around after spring training, and his ceiling should play a factor in the team’s decision-making as well. Overbay is clearly at the tail end of his career, while Carp might have plenty of good years in front of him. Carp will have to show up and perform during spring training, though, as he’s not just going to be handed the job.

That’s actually the really great thing about bringing in Carp. A little spring training competition never hurt anyone, and adding Carp will only heighten a competition that figures to also include the likes of Mauro Gomez, Mark Hamilton, Daniel Nava and Mitch Maier. With some good fortune, each of these guys will push each other to perform better, and the Red Sox will come away from this spring with a good indication of what they’ll have this season for what is sure to be an important role.

If Carp earns the Red Sox’ trust and is a guy they elect to keep around, he could be in line for a good chunk of playing time this year. As mentioned, Gomes has struggled at times against righties, and Napoli’s hip condition means the Sox need to make sure they have a capable backup waiting in the wings.

Carp also has a rather favorable contract, which could play a role in determining his fate after spring training as well. Carp is out of options, meaning the Red Sox will have to either keep him around or place him on waivers, at which point another team would probably scoop him up. But if they keep him, meaning they like what they see in the veteran, Carp won’t be arbitration eligible until after this season and won’t be a free agent until after the 2016 campaign.

The Red Sox certainly have bigger fish to fry (sorry, it had to be done) when it comes to climbing the AL East ladder. Their rotation needs to improve, and the team’s veteran position players need to perform up to the level that they’re capable of playing at. As we saw last season, though, a bench player can quickly be thrown into a bigger role, and Carp should at least help show this spring training who’s worthy of a roster spot when the games start counting for real.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.

Bard’s transition to the rotation last spring was a very polarizing topic, and the experiment obviously failed miserably. A year later, expectations are tempered and Bard is somewhat of an afterthought. The reason is not only because of Bard’s 2012 woes, but it’s also because the Red Sox will enter 2013 with a reshaped bullpen that could actually become one of the team’s biggest strengths. All of this sets up a perfect spring environment for Bard, who is looking to revive his career after a tumultuous campaign.

Joel Hanrahan and Koji Uehara were acquired this offseason to help bolster the back end of Boston’s ‘pen. Each has had plenty of success at the big league level, and could really help shorten games, something that will be even more important if the rotation struggles like it did last season. Throw in a healthy Andrew Bailey, and there are plenty of reasons for Sox fans to be excited about the team’s relief outlook. When push comes to shove, though, it’s Bard who could bring the unit to new heights, as a return to form would truly make the Red Sox’ bullpen one of the American League’s best.

Manager John Farrell‘s use of Bard this season will interesting to monitor. Long gone are the days when Bard was considered Boston’s closer in waiting, but there’s no reason he can’t regain some of what made him one of the team’s most reliable relievers for a three-year stretch. Last season’s whole rotation debacle obviously messed with Bard’s development a bit, but the 27-year-old entered this spring training knowing that he would be placed in the bullpen. The big righty no longer has to worry about the constant barrage of questions regarding his role on the team, and he can instead focus solely on honing his mechanics and getting back to what made him such a successful pitcher from 2009 to 2011.

Hanrahan is slated to be the Red Sox’ closer this season, with Bailey and Uehara presumably manning a majority of the seventh- and eighth-inning duties. Bard likely fits in as a third option for those crucial innings leading up to the ninth, but he’ll be taking on such a role with far less pressure than in years past. Even before last year’s mess, Bard was used to entering each season with an immense amount of pressure, as he was the guy tasked with pitching the eighth in an effort to get to Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth. This season, with plenty of options available for manager John Farrell, there is far less fanfare surrounding Bard, which could ultimately mean a very productive working environment for a guy who clearly lost his way last season.

Bard threw live batting practice for the first time on Saturday, and all indications are that it went well. Perhaps a few more solid sessions can help fully restore the control he clearly lost last season. If so, life could become even more difficult for opposing teams whenever Farrell turns to the bullpen in 2013.

Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.