Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
People are getting a bit loopy in anticipation of the Red Sox opener on April 5 in Detroit. So while the coming days will make most of the murkiness increasingly clearer, we can take a moment to clarify some of the hot button topics hovering around this 10-10 spring training team:
THERE IS NO POWER STRUGGLE
As polarizing as Bobby Valentine can be, whether it be in the media or within his own organization, do you really think that he would engage in a my-way-or-the-highway-type of maneuver with the front office of a team he has only been managing for a few months? The answer is no chance.
Sure, Valentine likes Jose Iglesias. Most could have told you before the first February ground ball was gloved that the manager would be enamored of the slick-fielding shortstop. And there is no doubt he can see the value of putting the youngster at shortstop behind the Red Sox pitching staff. But just because Valentine likes Iglesias doesn't mean he is going to ignore the other decision-makers, most of whom have been charged with monitoring Iglesias' development since he signed with the Sox.
WEEI: There is no power struggle
We haven't gone through Spring Training and the "power struggle" has emerged. (For those that have somehow missed this report can read it here.) To sum it up: Bobby like Iglesias as a starter & Daniel Bard to be in the bull pen while Ben likes Aviles to start & Bard in the rotation. Both of them have been going back & forth until Lucchino steps in and based off that one decision we will know who Larry will back from here on out.
Oy vey. There can't be a disagreement between manager & GM without it being considered a power struggle now? Cherington wasn't Bobby V's pick as manager but COME ON NOW. It's bad enough that everyone has been praising Valentine for working the players hard and dissect every little thing he says. (By the way, all the love he's getting is eerily similar to another braggadocious Italian coach who eventually broke our hearts. Hopefully Bobby V won't scream at us that Nomar isn't walking through that door.)
Disaggrements happen. Epstein & Francona had them. Hell, everybody has them. Calling that a power struggle is absurd.
Rest of the Links: Globe: No time for Sox to stop Bard stops| Aviles making his case to be Sox SS | Bard allows 5 runs in 6 innings as Sox lose| Herald: Bard better in this start bid to make rotation improves | Aviles makes case taking charge of SS Battle| CSNNE: They'll take it | Aviles continues to be strong in Spring Training | WEEI: Aviles: "I'll play where I play" | Bobby V: "Bard looked like a starter"
