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>> Kerrigan said he'll call David Cone on a personal level to see how he's doing. Cone hasn't had any nibbles, and reportedly is about to retire. Kerrigan sounded as if he wouldn't mind welcoming back Cone, who went 9-7 with a 4.31 E.R.A. for the Sox last year. "You never can have enough pitching," Kerrigan said. . . . Former Sox pitcher Bret Saberhagen , who retired last season, will be in the Sox camp later this week, but just to visit his former teammates, Kerrigan said. << PROJO

Veeeerrry Interesting.....hmmm


>> Kerrigan is so pleased with Luis Tiant 's knowledge and wit that he said Tiant will remain with the big-league team all spring. He had been expected to help out with the minor leaguers.
Kerrigan would not say whether Tiant's role will be expanded to keep him with Boston during the regular season. Tiant is listed now as a minor-league instructor. << PROJO

Maybe there is a possible consideration of switching Tiant & bullpen coach Bob Kipper's roles??
No doubt that Tiant is best suited as a Bullpen Coach in the Majors. His knowledge & wit is prime talent for keeping a bullpen loose during the game. Not to mention Cubans' Arrojo & maybe Rolando Viera will be in that bullpen at some point.

Nothing against 37yr old Kipper, but he may actually be a better fit in Lowell as the Pitching Coach.
Kipper has done a great job Coaching some of the young Pitchers in the minors, and I'm not doubting he earned a chance to move up. But Tiant may simply have more to offer as a Major League Bullpen Coach. Remember, Tiant is 60-68yr old man and traveling the buses and 1 star motel circuit in short-season A-Ball may not be the best use of his talents as a Coach.
I'm glad Tiant is making the most of his opportunity to impress Joe Kerrigan. And I would be happy if Kerrigan reconsidered the bullpen role for Tiant.


>> "We want to work on all aspects of base running, from the balls in the dirt to the hit and run," Kerrigan said Sunday. "Even on the little things such as getting back to first base on a pickoff." <<

It would be nice if some of the reporters accept the fact that noone is saying the Sox will steal even 100 bases. These aren't the 1987 Cardinals and give Kerrigan some credit for relizing that.
Base running is a whole Book.
Base Stealing is just one Chapter.
It will be nice if the Sox steal just 70-75 bases and do so with acceptable percentages.
1st to 3rd, Scoring from 2nd Base, Hit & Run, Taking an extra base, Just drawing throws to firstbase to upset the opposing Pitcher are all categories the Red Sox have been woefully inept for many seasons. And a good part of that was the Personnel.
I don't want Nixon to go 24 for 39 stealing bases. I will be happy if he goes 15 for 20 because at least other Teams will acknowledge his ability to go.
Damon, Rickey, Q.Veras are all going to be in Camp plus Coach Harper. Nixon, Coleman & Hilly all need to work closely with those people to improve their Base Running abilities.


>> He plans to let the top three hitters in his lineup, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra, decide for themselves when to run. <<

I would hope they finish somewhere around:
Damon 23-25 SB's
Nixon 13-15 SB's
Nomar 10 SB's
Thats probably even optimistic, but at least that brings the threat into the Sox line-up. Obvious its going to be unique situation that you got Nomar running in front of Manny. And they don't want Nomar huring his wrist on a SB slide.