Thanks for your response on my question about DiNardo. I would agree that the problem was similar to last spring when the Red Sox witnessed a glut of pitchers and Arroyo ended up being the odd man out in Boston.

I noticed that you made a comment about Erik Hinske looking fit and trim, having dropped a few pounds in the off-season. So how does Boston benefit from having him taking a roster spot? It sounds as though the Red Sox expect to use Wily Mo Peña as the backup first baseman in addition to a fourth outfielder in order to give him a minimum of 400 at-bats this season, so how many opportunities will the former Rookie of the Year get this season to showcase his skills? Has he been reduced to a fifth option off the bench in the outfield and a third-string infielder? Or does Boston foresee using him as trade bait, maybe to bring Todd Helton to town?

I was wondering what you think the Red Sox outfield is looking like, both right now and down the road? It seems as though the Sox have a very strong yet very delicate group of guys out there, and they’re pretty weak defensively. With Manny’s “Manny-isms,” Coco’s Johnny Damon-esque arm, and Willy Mo’s dizzy spells, defense isn’t a strong spot. How are Murphy and Ellesbury defensively, and how close are they to actually contributing? Also, how are the Sox going to juggle Willy Mo into that outfield? I thought the plan was for him to take over for Manny when the time comes.

Thanks for your time Rob, and keep up the great work.