Boston Red Sox

The first contest period in the Fourth Annual www.SOX1FAN.com Comment Contest ends one week from today. The second contest period begins on Opening Day. The author of the best comment that is left on the site during spring training will win a FREE pair of Red Sox tickets and autographed memorabilia.

Drafted: Undrafted international free agent

Height: 5′11″ Weight: 175 lbs

Born: January 5, 1990

Iglesias broke into Cuba’s top league at the tender age of 17, and then defected during the World Junior Championships. He signed with the Red Sox last September for four years and $8.25 million (a deal that included a team-record $6.25 million signing bonus).

Drafted: First Round 2009 (Fernando Callejo HS, in Manati, Puerto Rico)

Height: 6′0″ Weight: 170 lbs.

Born: Feb. 12, 1991

Fuentes is a cousin of NY Mets CF Carlos Beltran. He is just the sixth Puerto Rican to be drafted in the first round of the First-Year Player Draft.

He has drawn comparisons to former Red Sox CF Johnny Damon, but at the moment doesn’t show the power that Damon possesses—he likely will be more of a contact hitter with gap power.

Earlier today, the Red Sox acquired infielder Kevin Frandsen from the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later, or cash—they also signed free agent left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis.

The question is: why?

Frandsen is 27-years-old. He appeared in 23 big league games last year, hitting a not-so-robust .140, with one RBI .

In announcing the trade, the Boston Globe declared, “He protects the Sox as a backup shortstop.” 

Oh, really? Has anyone at the Globe ever seen him PLAY shortstop? It isn’t pretty!

Over the past decade, the Red Sox have developed a reputation for getting the best value for their players, and sometimes resurrecting careers in the process. 

Tim Wakefield made his sixth start of the spring yesterday against the Florida Marlins, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five Fish.

It was just the second time this spring he surrendered runs, as he improved to 3-1, 3.66.

Afterwards, he said he hasn’t been told anything about the ball club’s plans for him once the regular season opens, though he seems assured to start the year in the rotation due to Daisuke Matsuzaka’s continuing physical issues:

It may be just 10 days before Opening Day, but for starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka—who has been sidelined by a series of aches and pains for a large portion of spring training—it’s much more akin to March 1.

Dice-K took his first steps towards becoming a contributing member of the rotation yesterday with two innings of work against the Florida Marlins, allowing a run on two hits in his outing.

It was the first time he faced major league hitters in live action this spring.

Over the past couple of seasons, the rapid decline of David Ortiz has been somewhat spectacular. 

Ortiz has not hit 30 or more home runs since 2007. His batting average dropped to .264 in 2008, and .238 last year. Meanwhile, his OBP dipped to an anemic .332 last season.

Let’s set the debate aside for the moment over the Red Sox's shift in philosophy.

Volumes were written this winter (here and elsewhere) about the front office’s desire to transition the team more towards pitching and defense.

What can be said with near certainty is that once Theo and Company decided to head in this direction, it was clear the club should spend its $80 million on pitcher John Lackey instead of hitter Jason Bay.

The acquisition of Lackey did several things.

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett missed his start on March 14 when he came down ill.

He made his scheduled start last Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he pitched in a weakened state and was largely ineffective.

So all eyes were on the big Texan this afternoon in Bradenton—hoping to get some indication as to whether he will be ready to take the ball on Opening Night against the Yankees, just 11 days from now.