Mike Lowell really wanted to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. 

Jon Lester finally established his place in the grand scheme of Boston things during a breakout 16-victory season last year, and he wouldn't mind cementing his permanent place in Boston this spring. 

--RHP Brad Penny has been experiencing shoulder weakness, and the condition has caused the team to postpone his scheduled March 5 start against Team Puerto Rico. 

The Red Sox brought in some complementary pieces in the low risk/high reward category -- RHP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Takashi Saito -- but did very little to change the basic structure of last year's 95-win ballclub. 

Ivan Rodriguez lined the first pitch he saw Thursday into center field for a clean single. 

Now that they got their Manny, Tracy Ringolsby looks at the real issues facing the Dodgers as they try to defend their division title. 

--RHP Brad Penny has been experiencing shoulder weakness, and the condition has caused the team to postpone his scheduled March 5 start against Team Puerto Rico. 

The Red Sox brought in some complementary pieces in the low risk/high reward category -- RHP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Takashi Saito -- but did very little to change the basic structure of last year's 95-win ballclub. 

Jon Lester finally established his place in the grand scheme of Boston things during a breakout 16-victory season last year, and he wouldn't mind cementing his permanent place in Boston this spring. 

Early in this saga, Manny Ramirez compared the market for his services to the price of gas. 

Lars Anderson paid little attention to the Red Sox pursuit of Mark Teixeira even though the talented prospect's position would have been tied up for a long time if the team succeeded. 

A deal with the Dodgers appears imminent for Manny. 

A deal with the Dodgers appears imminent for Manny. 

Team USA has a problem: Dividing time for Jimmy Rollins and Derek Jeter. 

The Red Sox brought in some complementary pieces in the low risk/high reward category -- RHP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Takashi Saito -- but did very little to change the basic structure of last year's 95-win ballclub.