Skip to main content

No Big Papi, but Red Sox still loaded with youth, pitching

By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — When David Ortiz took one final, hat-tipping trot around Fenway in October, with him went the franchise’s biggest personality and one of the last links to its most recent run of Word Series titles.

Boston is about to get its first full bite of life without Big Papi’s on-field heroics and clubhouse leadership.

But a franchise that has invested in youth and landed some big-name free agents over the past few years has reason to be looking forward to its next chapter.

“We’re excited about the group that’s here. David’s going to be missed — we know that,” manager John Farrell said. “But when you look at the overall athleticism, the overall depth to our lineup… I think one thing that our fans have grasped onto and identify with the past couple of years is that this a team that can score runs in many different ways.”

The Red Sox returned to the postseason in 2016 after back to back, last-place finishes in the AL East in 2014 and 2015. Though their playoff return ended in a swift exit via an AL Division sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, the run to a division title revealed just how much potential the core of their roster has.

The 2016 season was a coming out party for Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, who all earned their first All-Star selections.

Free agent pickup David Price had his struggles in the first year in Boston, including another disappointing playoff start. But he, too, showed flashes of why president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski gave him a seven-year $217 million contract.

That pressure should be lessened this season following the addition of five-time All-Star Chris Sale to a rotation led by reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello.

Sale said he expects to benefit from being in such a talented group.

“I think when you have guys of that caliber, it raises the intensity,” Sale said. “You see someone else going the extra mile, you’re going to follow. And vice versa. When you’re going the extra mile, people around you are more willing to go there, too.”

NEW LOOK: In addition to Sale, Boston added 1B Mitch Moreland from Texas and setup man Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee. The Rex Sox are also hoping this year can be a resurgence for 3B Pablo Sandoval, who played just three games in 2016 before undergoing surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder.

ROOKIES TO WATCH: It begins with Andrew Benintendi. The 22-year-old outfielder was called up to the Red Sox last season, hitting .295 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 34 games. Expectations are even higher for him as he prepares for his first full season. While there are questions about his power, his ability to consistently put the ball in play and drive the ball into the gaps of the defense has drawn comparisons to Betts. Like Benintendi, Betts got his first chance in the majors at age 21 in 2014, playing 52 games. He became an All-Star in his second full major league season in 2016.

A NEW DH: With Ortiz gone, one of the biggest things that Farrell will have to figure out is how to handle the designated hitter spot. Farrell said there won’t be one full-time guy taking on the job. Instead against righties, look for Hanley Ramirez to be the primary DH, with Moreland at first base. Ramirez would then start at first against lefties, with Moreland assuming DH duties. Moreland has no allusions about filling Big Papi’s cleats. “I think it’ll be a group effort picking up what will be missing,” he said. “There’s no replacing that guy.”

INJURY WATCH: While he’s eager to turn the page from how last season ended, Price will almost certainly start the season the disabled list with a sore left elbow. Thornburg is also working back from an issue in his throwing shoulder.

___

More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

___

Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote