Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told Alex Speier of WEEI.com via email that they expect Vicente Padilla to arrive to spring training on time.
Padilla is reportedly facing an order not to leave his native Nicaragua due to a child support case. He only owes around $4,200, so it's probably fair to say this matter will be resolved fairly quickly. "At this point there is no reason to believe he is in jeopardy of reporting late," said Cherington. Padilla, 34, signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox last month and could be in the mix for a rotation spot during spring training.
Source: WEEI.com Feb. 2 - 12:14 pm et

According to the La Prensa newspaper in Nicaragua, Vicente Padilla is facing an order not to leave Nicaragua until a child support matter is resolved.
Padilla owes roughly $4,200 in child support. He had an arrest warrant issued for his failure to show up in court for a child support hearing, only to have the warrant revoked. The 34-year-old right-hander signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox last month, but he apparently won't be able to travel to the United States until there is some resolution.
Source: WEEI.com Feb. 2 - 9:00 am et

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday that adding a new pitcher is "unlikely."
"We wouldn't rule out adding a starter," said Cherington, "but I think it's unlikely at this point." The Red Sox have been linked recently to free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson, but he's thought to have better offers on the table from other organizations. And Roy Oswalt is said to prefer to pitch for either the Rangers or Cardinals.
Source: Alex Speier on Twitter Feb. 1 - 9:04 pm et

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington said pitching prospect Anthony Ranaudo is likely to open 2012 at Double-A.
Ranaudo, 22, posted a 3.97 ERA and 117/46 K/BB ratio in 127 innings last season between Low-A Greenville and High-A Salem. Those aren't lights-out numbers, but the Red Sox believe the righty is a high-level talent, capable of moving quickly through their farm system.
Source: Alex Speier on Twitter Feb. 1 - 7:41 pm et

Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com was told by a major-league source that the Red Sox still have a "great chance" to sign free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt.
This was the same source who told Edes last Friday night that Oswalt was signing with the Cardinals "soon," so take it with a grain of salt, but it's increasingly clear that the veteran right-hander is having trouble making a decision. While Oswalt would prefer to sign with the Cardinals or Rangers, both clubs already have full starting rotations, so they have little sense of urgency to break the bank. The Red Sox have a clear need and could promise him a spot in the rotation right away, so they remain an option by default.
Source: ESPNBoston.com Feb. 1 - 2:40 pm et

Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com was told by a source that the Red Sox are "most likely out of the picture" for free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson.
The Red Sox have made Jackson an offer -- a one-year deal worth between $5-6 million, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe -- but Edes was told that there are better offers on the table from other clubs. It was reported over the weekend that Jackson has received multiple three-year offers, but it's not clear where they are coming from. The Orioles have been mentioned as a possibility while the Cardinals have reportedly checked in on the right-hander.
Source: ESPNBoston.com Feb. 1 - 1:28 pm et

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Cardinals have not made Roy Oswalt a financial offer "that the pitcher deems anywhere close to sufficient."
Oswalt has made it clear that he would prefer to pitch for the Cardinals or Rangers, but he's not an easy fit for either team. While the veteran right-hander is looking for a one-year contract in the range of $10 million, both clubs have the proper rotation depth to wait him out. If the stalemate continues, Oswalt may have to turn his attention to an alternative like the Red Sox.
Source: FOXSports.com Feb. 1 - 10:03 am et

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have offered free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson a one-year contract worth between $5-6 million.
It was recently reported that Jackson is open to accepting one-year offers, but the Red Sox might have to do better than $5-6 million to reel him in. The 28-year-old Scott Boras client is likely seeking something closer to $10-$12 million for 2012. He can then become a free agent again in the fall, and will be only be 29 years of age.
Source: Boston Globe Jan. 31 - 3:27 pm et

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Edwin Jackson is likely to accept a one-year deal.
The idea being that he could hit the free agent market again next offseason as a 29-year-old. Jackson reportedly has multiple three-year offers on the table, with one of them probably coming from the Orioles, but he might prefer to join a contender or a pitch in a home ballpark with bigger dimensions for his 2012 "showcase" season. The Red Sox have also expressed interest recently in the free agent right-hander, and the Cardinals are thought to be keeping an eye on his market.
Source: Dan Connolly on Twitter Jan. 31 - 2:03 pm et

According to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, the Red Sox and David Ortiz are "increasingly likely" to require an arbitration hearing to set the DH's salary for 2012.
Ortiz asked for $16.5 million and was offered $12.65 million when arbitration figures were exchanged a few weeks ago. The two sides have been unable to make much progress since. Ortiz, 36, batted .309/.398/.554 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI in 146 games last year.
Source: FOX Sports Jan. 31 - 12:14 pm et