Of the Red Sox’ numerous offseason acquisitions, Mike Napoli may be the most intriguing.

The former Texas Ranger, who finally signed a one-year deal with Boston after extensive negotiations, will be making the transition from catcher to first base this season, as the Sox are loaded with talent behind the plate.

Napoli has played first base in the past, and told reporters at the Red Sox’ Spring Training facility in Fort Myers that he has confidence in his ability to make the transition in stride.

“That’s what I’m doing right now,” he said. “I’m going to come out every day and take ground balls, get comfortable over there and work hard at it. I’m going to try to become the best I can over there and go from there.”

See more from Boston’s new first baseman in the video above.

It’s no secret that John Lackey hasn’t performed up to expectations with the Red Sox. However, the big right-hander isn’t backing down from the challenge of reestablishing himself in Boston’s baseball hotbed.

Lackey showed up early to Fort Myers, now 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery. He was photographed on Tuesday already working off a mound alongside Daniel Bard and Jon Lester, and the early reports on Lackey are encouraging. Not only do his mechanics look better, but the 34-year-old is said to be throwing free and easy in the ‘pen.

Check out Peter Abraham talking Lackey live from Florida in the video above.

Gary Tuck was set to be the only Red Sox coach to return from the 2012 season — until he wasn’t.

Earlier this week Tuck abruptly announced his retirement from baseball, meaning that Red Sox catchers will no longer get the benefit of Tuck’s tutelage behind the dish. Players from Jason Varitek to non-Red Sox Jorge Posada have praised Tuck’s defensive instruction in the past, so the loss is certainly a blow to young backstops like Ryan Lavarnway. Meanwhile, Boston will have to scramble for a new bullpen instructor as manager John Farrell was apparently “taken aback” by the decision, and the timing is certainly a bit odd.

Check out the video above for Don Orsillo and Nick Cafardo‘s breakdown of what Tuck’s resignation means for the Sox.

Have you ever been served free hot chocolate on the street by a member of the Boston Red Sox? No?

Well, if you happened to be traversing the (very cold) streets of Boston on Wednesday, there was a distinct possibility this was a situation you might encounter. Four members of the Sox — newcomers Jonny Gomes and David Ross, in addition to Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava — took a tour of the city, braving some chilly temperatures to take in some historical sights, as well as sign a few autographs and pass out some warm drinks to fans.

Check it all out in the video above.

After two straight lights-out seasons as closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Joel Hanrahan is ready for a new challenge with the Red Sox.

The 31-year-old right-hander toured Fenway Park for the first time as a member of the Red Sox on Wednesday, and as he made his way through the historic ballpark, learned a bit about his new home. While Hanrahan admitted that he was a little worried about the ballpark’s reputation coming in, he’s more comfortable now that he’s gotten a chance to see the place.

Tom Caron sat down with the new Red Sox closer on Red Sox Now. Check out some highlights from the conversation in the video above.

Being in Major League Baseball isn’t just all about playing the sport.

Of course talent for the game is important, but upon arriving in The Show rookies need to know how to conduct themselves to avoid the pitfalls that can come with a high-profile lifestyle. That’s one of the facets of the baseball life that the Red Sox address during their annual winter rookie camp, happening this week at Fenway.

Check out the video above from Red Sox Now to hear from prospects Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

Bullpen depth was arguably already a strength of the Red Sox, and with the addition of Joel Hanrahan at the back end of games, the ‘pen just got that much deeper.

The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham wonders if all those arms might mean a forthcoming trade given that all but Junichi Tazawa are out of minor league options. However, he also notes that, as things stand, Boston has four guys it can turn to with experience closing games — Hanrahan, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey and Koji Uehara.

Check out Abraham’s chat with Dale Arnold on Red Sox Now in the video above.

Looking at the Red Sox’ rotation heading into 2013, the one thing the team was missing was an innings eater.

Aside from Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, the team didn’t really have an established guy it could count on for a quality start every five days — until they signed Ryan Dempster. The 35-year-old may not be an ace, but he adds stability to the starting five and takes pressure off the bullpen, having tossed 200-plus innings in seven seasons.

Check out The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo break down Boston’s newest starting pitcher in the video above.

Ben Cherington thinks that Ryan Dempster is the kind of player who will embrace pitching in Boston. The 35-year-old may have limited experience pitching in the American League, but his seven seasons of 200-plus innings are certainly a sign of a quality arm.

Red Sox Now caught up with Cherington and then Dempster, himself, who has some interesting memories of his past time in Boston. It seems that the right-hander won’t just be slinging baseballs, but jokes as well, as Dempster once performed some standup comedy at a Boston club — with Mike Lowell in attendance, of course.

Check out both interviews in the video above.

Who are the most borderline candidates who have yet to get enshrined in Cooperstown? Gil Hodges? Dale Murphy?

Dwight Evans is certainly in their company as well, as Bill James has argued for Evans’ worth based on his advanced metrics. But moreover, Evans is forever remembered in Boston for his booming arm in right field and offensive contributions in the early ’80s especially.

Evans may have actually been a player ahead of his time, sacrificing pure totals to take more walks and a earn a higher on-base percentage. But does that make him Hall of Fame material?

Check out Red Sox Now debate that very question in the video above.

Do you trade for an established player, or trade for a prospect with huge potential?

That’s the question reportedly splitting the baseball industry in regards to the Tampa Bay Rays’ just-completed trade which sent out James Shields in return for uber-prospect Wil Myers. But that being said, as The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham points out, the Rays always have a way of judging when players are ready to be shipped out, so perhaps they know something the rest of the baseball world doesn’t.

Check out Abraham and Tom Caron discussing Boston’s competition on Red Sox Now in the video above.

Just like Tom Caron says in the video above, by now we figured Mike Napoli would already be searching for homes in the Boston area. However, the union between Napoli and the Red Sox isn’t official yet, leading some to worry about whether his deal has hit a potential snag.

As The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham speculates, chances are Napoli’s physical discovered something unknown, and though it may not be enough to scuttle the deal entirely, it may be an issue of contract language that’s holding up an official introduction.

Nonetheless, in the event the Napoli issue does turn out to be serious, it could have equally serious implications on the Red Sox’ offseason. See more in the above video.

Terry Francona enjoyed a great deal of success in a big-time market in Boston.

As the Red Sox’ manager for eight seasons, Francona lead the team to two World Series titles and 744 wins. He certainly had a huge impact on the ball club, but it undoubtedly helped that Boston is a major-market team and could pay high-priced talent like David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Curt Schilling. Moving to a smaller market team in Cleveland, Francona will have to lobby a lot harder to bring in some skilled free agents this offseason.

NESN’s Tom Caron and Peter Gammons discussed Francona’s prospects as the Cleveland manager on Tuesday’s edition of Red Sox Now. To hear what they had to say, check out the video above.

John Farrell has experienced the winter meetings as a major league manager with the Toronto Blue Jays, but it’s his first time attending the meetings as the Red Sox’ skipper.

Boston has been busy, reportedly signing both Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino to nearly identical contracts in the last two days — adding veteran bats to the lineup. With the offense taking form, Farrell’s expertise in handling a pitching staff may come to the forefront as the Sox look to add another arm to the rotation.

Farrell sat down with NESN’s Tom Caron and Peter Gammons to discuss his role at the winter meetings. To hear what he had to say check out the video above.

The Yankees have some injury issues.

General Manager Brian Cashman announced on Monday that Alex Rodriguez will miss four to six months due to surgery on his left hip from an injury sustained in the postseason. With Derek Jeter‘s status unknown because of a broken leg, the left side of the Yankee infield on Opening Day may look much different than in years past.

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo stopped by NESN’s set at the MLB Winter Meetings to discuss what this injury means for New York, and how age may finally be causing problems in the Bronx.

Check out the video above to see Cafardo talk about the Yankees with Tom Caron, and tune in to Red Sox Now for all the latest offseason action surrounding the Sox.

Click here for a live blog of the MLB Winter Meetings –>

Ben Cherington figures to be a busy man this week and over the duration of the MLB offseason, as he seeks to reload a 93-loss team from a year ago.

One such way to do that is to sign key free agents who not only add pop to the lineup, but also add a solid mix to the clubhouse. It’s hoped that the newest member of the Red Sox will do just that.

Mike Napoli reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Boston on Monday, adding power at first base. But after Napoli, plenty of holes remain in the projected 2013 lineup, and it will be Cherington’s job to fill said holes.

Check out the video above from Monday’s Red Sox Now to see how Cherington addressed the reported Napoli signing, and what else he has in mind from the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville.

Click here for a live blog of the MLB Winter Meetings >>

Almost a year ago, the Red Sox named Bobby Valentine as their manager for 2012. Now that Valentine has been fired and John Farrell has been at the helm of the Red Sox for over a month, the focus can turn from the man calling the shots to the men on the field.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington will have a tall task at hand, as he and the other 30 general managers from around the league get together for the MLB Winter Meetings this week in Nashville. The Sox made an early splash by reportedly signing Mike Napoli to a three-year deal, and now turn their attention elsewhere.

The Boston farm system contains plenty of players eager to make an impact for the Sox in 2013, but Cherington may have different plans for those young guns. Cherington says he expects top prospects like Bryce Brentz and Jackie Bradley Jr. to start the season down in the minors.

Check out the video above from Monday’s Red Sox Now to hear Cherington’s idea for a youth movement in Boston, and how different it was a year ago in his first season as Red Sox GM. He’s accompanied by hosts Tom Caron and Peter Gammons.

Click here for a live blog of the MLB Winter Meetings >>

Hours into Day 1 of the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday in Nashville, the Red Sox made an early splash in the free-agent market.

Multiple reports indicate that the Red Sox have signed free-agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli to a three-year deal. It is expected that the former Los Angeles Angel and Texas Ranger will primarily play first base for the team.

With that being said, NESN has you covered for everything related to the Winter Meetings. Tom Caron and Peter Gammons are in attendance, and the latter applauded the Napoli signing while diagnosing the suddenly overcrowded catching position for the Red Sox.

Check out the video above to hear Gammons break down the signing, along with analysis of the situation behind the plate and what the Sox’ next move may be. And be sure to stay tuned for more updates from Red Sox Now.

Click here for a live blog of the MLB Winter Meetings >>

All of the Red Sox’ free agent rumors so far have pertained to offensive help, but the 2012 team wasn’t without their pitching woes as well.

One name that Peter Gammons thinks the Sox should keep in mind is Athletics free agent Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy missed the last month of last season after getting hit in the head with a line drive. McCarthy was cleared to resume pitching and other baseball activities and should draw significant interest in the market.

McCarthy was 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA last season before his injury with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks. Gammons said one appeal for McCarthy could be his roots as a Liverpool fan. Of course, the Red Sox could get McCarthy all the Liverpool tickets he could possibly want.

Watch the video above to hear Gammons talk about the Red Sox pitching needs with NESN’s Tom Caron on Red Sox Now.

In the next few weeks, you could see the hot stove heat up even more.

The new collective bargaining agreement encourages deals to be made quicker, so after seeing B.J. Upton signed on Wednesday by the Braves, you could see more names like Russell Martin, Michael Bourn, and yes, even Mike Napoli, Nick Swisher and Adam LaRoche start to fly off the shelves as well. Since the Red Sox have had reported interest in Napoli and Swisher, they too may start to make deals before the winter meetings.

If the Red Sox sign any of those players, they’ll have Greg Colbrunn as a hitting coach. Peter Gammons spoke about why Colbrunn was the right man for the choice on Red Sox Now with NESN’s Tom Caron. He said that Colbrunn seemed to understand best what the Red Sox wanted out of a hitting coach and that his players will concentrate on being patient and working the count.

Watch the video above to hear Gammons explain why deals are getting done faster this year.