First spring training game ends in exciting fashion and while I guess it's good on the one hand that I'm not soured on baseball generally, I also feel like I shouldn't be this easy on the team.

I saw that they were winning but didn't know how it ended. That was a hell of a grab. The winds at JetBlue can be tricky, that kid made a nice play. I remember Francona talking about a walk off celebration one year at spring training and how even if the fans, staff and veteran players weren't really enthused that was a big deal to the kids in the game. It was a chance to show their stuff.

Small bit of housekeeping today. Jerry Narron has been named bench coach. Narron is a bit player in two bits of Sox history. He was the final out of the 1986 ALCS but more relevantly he has been Sox bench coach once before and is a very underrated goat in my opinion. He was the bench coach in 2003 and it's my father who actually was the first one to ask me the question who the bench coach was that didn't tell Grady to get Pedro out of there in game seven. So yay?

There is no real baseball this season, only Zuul.

Jose, Are you going down to spring training again?

I am. I leave Friday night and I'm hitting four games;

Sunday vs. Twins
Tuesday vs Cardinals
Friday vs Rays
Monday vs Pirates

Looking forward to seeing Duran and Downs. I've seen Duran in Portland, the speed is for real. Not sure what I'll see for pitching. Kinda interested in Brice, he's supposed to be a live arm from what I've read. Want to read up on the Dominican League guys, think there were some players there that are supposed to be pretty impressive that I'll get to see.

Want to read up on the Dominican League guys, think there were some players there that are supposed to be pretty impressive that I'll get to see.

Can any of them play RF? The big league squad has a hole there they need to fill.

Can any of them play RF? The big league squad has a hole there they need to fill.

Scanning the list of upcoming free agents, it looks like Dodgers legend Mookie Betts might be available next year. Fingers crossed! Can't imagine a sane team would let him walk though? we'll see.

So, Sale's elbow hurts. So.

Punting 2020 makes more sense now.

And Yelich signs an extension 2 years from free agency, 7 years $188M. More context.

So that’s not great news on the Sale front. As Lando said, this deal is getting worse all the time. Oh well if this is the price for three consecutive division titles, a World Series and the best team in club history so be it but there is no reason for that to be the case.

At any rate, I’m still looking forward to my trip. If nothing else there are mojitos and cigars awaiting!

I've wanted to go for decades. I live in New Mexico, and have been to Arizona a few times, never specifically for spring training, but it was a covalent activity. I recently retired, perhaps I'll make the trip next year.

I can’t recommend it enough Fish. First of all Southwest Florida is great. The eastern side of the state is the party side, the western side is a lot more chill and the Gulf is great to swim in. JetBlue is a terrific facility with all the minor league fields there it’s just a great spot. I highly recommend it.