SoxNest inspired-> Coming to you from the current contributing Editor Scott Penny

Upcoming in this article
-News out of spring training
-#1 Fan Affleck
-Projections for upcoming year

Spring Training-Key issues

*Defensive questions
-Crisp injured.
Out of spring training center fielder Coco Crisp has been quoted in saying “My shoulder is just a little stiff. I took a bit of a funky swing and it kind of inflamed on me. I just put ice on it that was it.” Coco has noticed concerns about his minor injuries as he missed games last year to a finger injury.” It’s got nothing to do with my finger,” said Crisp. “My finger is fine, so just in case you were wondering about that, I’ll just tell you its fine.” He also included thoughts about spring training. “You pretty much don’t need Spring Training.’ I’ll just go right to the season,” Crisp is hitting .179 in 28 at-bats this spring. The shoulder is much more bothersome when he hits right-handed. Crisp looks to see limited action if any in the remainder of spring training.

*Rave reviews for starting five
-With the starting five locked down it seems the only real issues are getting Matsuzaka and Papelbon acclimated to starting in the major leagues. Also look for a strong playoff push when injured starter Matt Clement comes back after his injury, he can fill in and spot pitch in a pinch. As Matt Clement is expected to return in the second half of the season and will provide some depth into a strong starting five.

*Shaky bullpen in need of closer
-Mike Timlin seems to be a good fit to move into the role but needs some time to work his arm back into game shape and shaking off any minor injuries. Don’t look for Timlin to be ready for opening day, but should be soon after.

*Stats worth noting: spring training
Designated hitter David Ortiz has struggled with an average of less than .200 with only one homerun and a large number of strikeouts in thirty plus at-bats. On the mound Tim Wakefield has posted an ERA of 5.00. But they are both veterans and know what it takes to get it done, so no worries for the Sox thus far. Just a minor eyebrow rose.

New DVD release entitled
Red Sox Baby: Raising tomorrow’s Boston Red Sox fan today
You will hear Ben Affleck in the new kid’s DVD inspired by his one year old daughter Violet no doubt. The upcoming DVD includes teaching children “counting, spelling, and color recognition. It will also instill a love of the Red Sox in young ones,” according to a promotional quote listed about the DVD. Affleck is joined in the DVD by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner who lends his voice to the flick while trying to teach the subject of spelling.

Manny helping who?
Manny Ramirez is in fact helping his neighbor sell his jenn-air grill on eBay
The current bid is $9,999,999.99 as it has gained some fraudulent bidders or pranksters from Manny’s team no one can be sure as eBay’s bidding system couldn’t go any higher. But a current bidder named #38 has the top bid which is Curt Schillings number I believe. So who knows how this auction will end. Item No. 120099426399 for any interested grillers out there.

Outcome in the east
According to some early projections for this upcoming season your Boston Red Sox have been put into the second spot with just over ninety wins and behind the New York Yankees for the divisional lead. The Blue Jays are even slated behind the Baltimore Orioles by a game at just reaching the .500 mark, with the D-Rays rounding out the division losing almost a hundred games.
Most projectors seem to think that losing Ted Lilly is going to hurt a Toronto pitching staff that made their offense key in the off-season by adding Frank Thomas after bouncing back from an off year.