FORT MYERS, Fla. -- We are in the high anxiety stage of spring training, as manager Terry Francona acknowledged in his morning chat with reporters. There are still 44 players in camp, and the cuts will start coming in substantial numbers as the team gets down to 25 for the April 4 start of the season. "This is a tough week for a lot of guys,'' Francona said. But the Sox are looking for a backup shortstop, with Jed Lowrie's wrist issues and recent diagnosis with mono eliminating him, and Bill Hall not a guy the Sox would feel comfortable using there if Scutaro went down for any length of time. Scutaro, remember, suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right heel at the end of last season. The Sox have communicated to other teams that they're in the market for a backup at short, but there's no spot unless Lowell goes. The Sox will be happy to have people like Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse and Scott Atchison as inventory in Triple-A, though at 41 there's some question whether Shouse would go to Pawtucket or retire. As one scout noted Monday, every team in the major leagues used at least 20 pitchers last season. He believes that's the first time in big-league history that has happened.Uhhh didn't we sign Nomar for 1 day so he could retire as part of the greatest franchise ever? Why not just ask him to climb aboard for the year? I guarantee he would love to finish his career the right way and go out on top. Plus it's Nomar. We love Nomar. You love Nomar. He doesn't even have to play as long as he flashes that smile on the bench every now and then, I'm happy. And what about Nick Green? Say what you want about him but he was fucking solid last year for a guy who was signed to be a minor league insurance case. He played his dick off and they reward him but saying thanks for nothin', see ya never. And Jed Lowrie isn't the answer. He's not the answer as the starter or the backup. This year, next year or 5 years from now, the kid can't play. So if Scutaro goes down, we're fucked. Fantastic.
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