Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona has received a three year contract extenion from upper management.  That new contract will keep Francona in Boston through the 2011 season.  The deal is called to pay Francona between $3.5 and $4 million dollars a year.  There is also two extra years included in the deal as options.  If the Red Sox keep on winning, you can expect those options to be exercised!

Red Sox Blog

The Boston Red Sox have signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract.  If Colon makes the big league roster the Red Sox will pay him around $1 million dollars.  Colon is a longshot to make the big league roster out of Spring Training, but he would more then likely be the first guy called up if they Red Sox need a spot starter, or someone to pitch because of injuries.

It is a pretty low gamble that the Red Sox were willing to take. I like the deal for them as Colon could help them out at some point during the season.

Red Sox Blog

Coco Crisp has come out and said that he will ask to be traded if he Jacoby Ellsbury beats him out of the job for starting center fielder.  Crisp says he would be unhappy sitting on the bench, and feels that he can help out a team as a starting center fielder.

I know there have been rumors in the past about the Chicago Cubs possibly be intersted in Crisp as they would use him to platoon with Felix Pie.  It will be interesting to see how this works out.

Red Sox Blog

Kevin Youkilis and the Boston Red Sox have agreed on a one year contract that will pay Youkilis $3 million dollars for the 2008 season.  Youkilis will be under the Red Sox control through the 2010 season, he can just expect pay raises the next few seasons through salary arbitration.

Now the Red Sox just need to figure out what is going on with Curt Shilling and / or trade for Joe Blanton and lets get to Spring Training!

Red Sox Blog

Sean Casey and the Boston Red Sox have signed a one year contract for the 2008 season.  The deal is believed to be worth $700,000.  Casey will pretty much sit on the bench and do a little pitch hitting here and there.  I don’t think he will really have much value for this team unless the Red Sox have a couple of injuries happen at the first base position.

Casey will be there to come off the bench, and as long as he knows that he will pretty much just be a pitch hitter I’m ok with this deal.  He is a veteran so I’m sure he is ok with this role, he just wants to get the post season and contend for a World Series.