Ramirez's Offseason Work Ethic Continues to Surprise

Rumor has it, Manny Ramirez plans to show up to Spring Training on time this year.

For most professional athletes, practice, even in the offseason, is considered requisite. Not for Manny, though—you’d be hard-pressed to find records of a year where Ramirez wasn't late for spring training.

Last year, his February 27th arrival caught the attention of national media (Manny's earliest arrival in years-- a mere six days after the rest of the team reported).

For most of his seven seasons, Red Sox Nation's trust in Manny has decayed to the point where we do not question whether or not Ramirez will take another of his famed "breaks" mid-season, but rather when he will take it.

There was 2004, when Ramirez took a game off for an injury and was spotted in the hotel bar. In 2006, Manny demanded in the middle of the season to be traded...to the Yankees (no one was interested in picking up his contract, and neither were the Red Sox). Last year, a questionable injury kept him out for two years. 

A timely arrival to Fort Myers this year will prove a welcome novelty for the Red Sox. It seems Manny is finally ready to commit himself to the improvement and unity of this team.

The team left the 2007 season on top (obviously), but also in a general upward trend. Claims that the Red Sox "bought" their championship last season may be somewhat legitimate; however, the 2008 season will be influenced greatly by recent minor league callups.

Young, home-grown talent exploded both on the Red Sox bench and in the bullpen as Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia improved every day, and Jacoby Ellsbury's lightning speed and impressive lead-off hitting played an integral role come playoffs (Ellsbury, with only 116 Major league appearances, still qualifies for Rookie of the Year in 2008).

Prospects in Florida this March include lefty outfielder Jonathan Van Every and pitcher David Aardsma. Though many minor leaguers will not so much as see the Sox bench this year, the strength of triple-A Pawtucket will put pressure on older player such as Manny Ramirez.

Ramirez, along with many Sox veterans, has put extra care into his offseason workouts. Who knew he even did offseason workouts? Not only has Manny transferred to a high-level training facility in Arizona, he has also stated that he would like to stay in Boston after his contract runs out at the end of this season. This coming from a man who has asked to be traded more times than he's run down a fly ball.

The Red Sox depth chart looks almost exactly like it did last season, but don't let it fool you. The 2008 Sox will not be the same team that won the World Series last October—they will be faster, stronger, deeper, and perhaps most importantly, committed.