New Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine officially addressed the media over baseball related topics, as the Red Sox opening Spring Training in Fort Myers, FL on Sunday. According to a report by Boston's WEEI, Valentine spoke for 27 minutes and admitted he has concerns about the team's attitude heading into the quickly approaching season.
"At the start of the season, you have all questions," Valentine said. "You have questions about how the team will come together, how the pitching staff will work with the catchers and how the lineup will look and work together. I'd say we have all questions, and questions of good health, too."
"Whether or not a team wins a championship or finishes last, there's always concern on how attitude will develop in a new year," Valentine said. "Considering there were some major issues last year at the end and there's major changes here at the beginning, I'm concerned about the attitude."
Valentine did say that the early arrival of pitchers Josh Beckett and Jon Lester were good signs and a step in the right direction. Valentine also touched on the vacancies that need to be filled by Opening Day.
"As far as positions, we have a vacancy at shortstop, we have a vacancy in right field, right now Carl's health is of question for maybe opening day, and opening day of spring training, so we'll deal with left field. A couple of spots in our starting rotation and a couple of spots in our bullpen have open spots also. Personnel, those are the questions that need answers and the general idea of all the things coming together need to be answered."
Boston's first official Spring Training game is scheduled for March 4 against the Minnesota Twins.
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