February 16, 2010 at 7:05 AM
Fort Report: New spring complex to be downsized?
Today's spring training notes:
- There are numerous reports stemming from an article in the Fort Myers News-Press indicating that Lee County is running into cost issues in the initial stages of building the new Red Sox Spring Training Complex. The reports state that the plan for the stadium has been downsized from 12,000 to 11,000 seats and from six practice fields to five, will have fewer luxury boxes, and might have less clubhouse space. However, the Sox are apparently still working with the County in the design process. The complex is slated to open in 2012.
- Daisuke Matsuzaka, Anthony Rizzo, and Jose Iglesias were among the group of early arrivals to Fort Myers last week. Major leaguers reporting to camp on Monday included Josh Beckett, Hideki Okajima, and Clay Buchholz. Among the minor leaguers, Madison Younginer, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Jeff Natale, and Kyle Stroup also arrived in the Fort this week.
- Media reports: Rob Bradford reports that Buccholz is weighing in at 198 pounds after playing much of the 2009 season at 185 pounds ... The weight is simply attributed to eating more, rather than the proverbial "15 pounds of muscle" ... Jon Tomase of the Boston Herald talked to Daniel Bard, who is still honing his slider, while also hoping to incorporate his 88-mph changeup into his arsenal a lot more in 2010 ... According to a post by Peter Abraham, Theo Epstein informed the media on Monday that Mike Lowell will get some work in at first base this spring ... Epstein also commented that some of remaining unsigned free agents "intrigue" him.
- Boston made a minor roster move last week, purchasing the contract of Tyler Wilson from Pensacola of the American Association and signing him to a minor league deal. He'll probably start 2010 in Extended Spring Training. In another move, Robert Manuel cleared waivers and was outrighted to Pawtucket.
- An interesting tidbit - of the 240-or-so players expected in camp, only seven were in the organization when Epstein took the reigns as Boston's general manager in November 2002: Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Manny Delcarmen, Dusty Brown, Kason Gabbard, Kevin Youkilis, and Jon Lester. Gabbard, of course, is in his second stint with the Sox after spending parts of three seasons in the Texas organization.