New manager Bobby Valentine has already begun to set some guidelines for the team and is expecting hard work from his roster once everyone arrives in Fort Myers.
While some players like Jon Lester and Adrian Gonzalez are guaranteed spots on the opening day roster, there are a few guys heading into the spring still fighting for their future. Even a few players who played steady roles in the team's 2011 campaign, like Matt Albers and Darnell McDonald, aren't guarantees to make the final roster.
Early in 2011, Albers looked like a consistent force out of the Boston bullpen. But given sometime to settle in the now 29-year-old reliever proved unreliable with a 4-4 record and a 4.73 ERA on the year.
McDonald was equally as unreliable last season, proving his breakout 2010 season was a fluke. The utility outfielder batted just .236 with 6 home runs and 24 RBI in 79 games in 2011 and could have trouble even making the final roster, given the additions of Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney to Boston outfield.
Aside from Albers and McDonald, there are a few other familiar faces looking to contribute in Boston this season.
Andrew Miller went through a roller coaster 2011 in Boston, looking a lot like the former first-round pick at times but also showing sings of the untrustworthy minor leaguer that was sent packing in Detroit. The 26-year-old went 6-3 for the Sox in 2011, but posted an unfriendly 5.54 ERA in 65 innings.
Reliever Franklin Morales was more consistent than Miller in 2011, but still proved problematic at times. Morales came over from the Colorado Rockies near mid-season and was serviceable in 32.1 innings with a 1-1 record and 3.62 ERA.
Felix Doubront and Michael Bowden were both high level prospects in the Sox organization at one point but neither has established themselves in the Sox pitching staff. Doubront, 24, pitched just 11 games in 2011, posting a 6.10 ERA in just 10.1 innings before being lost to injury for the season. As for Bowden, the 25-year-old has pitched well in the minors but can't seem to get it going in the big leagues, pitching just 20 innings for the Sox in 2011 but while inconsistent, did show signs of promise with a solid fastball and a 4.05 ERA in 14 outings.
Each of these guys is out of minor-league options with the Red Sox, so they will either be on the major league roster or find themselves looking for work elsewhere come the start of the season.
While each of these out-of-options roster players funnel into camp within the next week, who do you think will have the most impact in 2012?
Which out-of-options player will make the biggest impact on the Red Sox this season?
