Sox make qualifying offers to Drew, Ellsbury, and Napoli
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and manager John Farrell just met with reporters for 34 minutes. A few of the highlights:
* Qualifying offers of one year and $14.1 million have been extended to three free agents: shortstop Stephen Drew, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and first baseman Mike Napoli. They have a week to decide whether to take them.
The Red Sox would receive draft-pick compensation from any team that signs one of those players.
* The Red Sox, as expected, did not extend a qualifying offer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who made $4.5 million last season. But Cherington said they are interested in bringing all of their free agents back.
* The Red Sox, Cherington said, expect their entire coaching staff to return. They have not been asked permission to speak with any of the coaches. Torey Lovullo was considered a potential candidate in Detroit before Brad Ausmus was hired.
* President Obama called Farrell this afternoon to congratulate him on the World Series. The Red Sox open next season in Baltimore and could visit the White House around that time.
* Cherington said it would take a 'compelling' reason to move Shane Victorino out of right field.
* Farrell suggested that RHP Brandon Workman would start next season in the bullpen.
* Cherington said the Red Sox would like to add to their bullpen depth. He and Farrell both suggested that maintaining their starter depth was a priority.
More to come on this later.
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