FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Free-agent signings continue across the game as the industry makes up for lost time following the lockout. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have only made minor additions to the bullpen (Jake Diekman, Matt Stahl) along with some minor league deals.
But Alex Cora said Friday the Red Sox aren't necessarily a finished product.
"Still working, still talking to people, we're still recruiting,'' said Cora. "We'll see. I do believe we're going to add. But we just have to be patient. Since they gave us the green light (following the signing of the new CBA), it's been a lot of phone calls -- not only other free agents but with our players. It's been a lot different. Yesterday, I got home at 6, 6:30. Now, there's more going on.''
And what if, Cora was asked, this is it? What if the Sox don't make any more additions?
"I think we've got a good baseball team,'' he said. "I think pitching-wise, we're good. And the offense, like always, we're always going to hit. Right now, if we have to roll a lineup out there, I feel very comfortable. It's very similar to the one we had in the playoffs except for Kyle (Schwarber). I do feel we have a good team. Obviously, there's a few things we have to find out about the bullpen. But if tomorrow's Opening Day, I'd be OK with it.
"We've got to keep improving. If you ask (Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash) today, he'll say the same thing. If you ask (the Yankees' Aaron Boone), he'll say the same thing. And Charlie (Montoyo, Toronto manager) would say the same thing. It's the best division in baseball and you've got to keep getting better.''
The Sox have drawn criticism for not making the kind of post-lockout impact moves, the way the Yankees (Josh Donaldson) and Toronto (Matt Chapman) have. But Cora isn't concerned with that.
"One of the things that I've learned over the years, it really doesn't matter what people think,'' said Cora. "You still have to show up and play and you've got to better. It's a new season. At the end of the day, you have to play.. It all depends on how you see it. In the end, it starts April 7 and we're pretty confident we'll be able to keep up.''
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Cora is encouraged by what he sees from free-agent signing James Paxton, even though the lefty is coming off Tommy John surgery and won't be available for several months.
Paxton is hopeful that he could return by the end of June or early July, though that's likely a tad optimistic. Paxton underwent the procedure in mid-April a year ago. When Chris Sale had TJ surgery at the end of March, he didn't return until August of the next season, though, to be fair, Sale's rehab was slowed by a neck issue, costing him extra time.
"I don't want to get too excited, but he's feeling good and we're feeling good where he's at,'' said Cora. "His progression and his rehab was on point (during the lockout). He's a good pitcher. He's got good stuff, one of the toughest lefties we've faced in the last few years -- good cutter, good fastball. He's a big strong lefty. We saw what Chris did last year, coming in during the regular season. If we stick to the program and he can contribute at that level, that would be great.
"But this is not only for this year. He was one of those guys we've been following for a few years. We really like him.''
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The Red Sox have brought back first baseman Travis Shaw, signing him to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Shaw was signed in the second half of last season and hit .239/.318/.524 in 28 games with three homers and 11 RBI.
Shaw, 31, was originally drafted by the Sox and has also played in Milwaukee and Toronto. He could potentially provide some depth and insurance at first base behind presumed starter Bobby Dalbec.
"Obviously, he did a good job for us,'' said Cora. "You never know what can happen from here until the start of the season. The way he went about it last year, with limited at-bats, he had quality at-bats. And we know he can play good defense. He looks in good shape. He made some adjustments in the offseason. We'll give him at-bats and see where it takes us.
The Sox also brought back catcher Deivy Grullon to a minor league deal. Grullon was with the Sox in 2020.
A third minor league signing of the day: lefty Derek Holland. Holland, 35, spent last year with Detroit, going 3-2 with 5.07 ERA in 39 appearances, all but one in relief. Holland is a veteran of 13 seasons, eight of them with the Texas Rangers.
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The Sox will start Nick Pivetta Saturday and Tanner Houck on Sunday...Rich Hill threw a couple innings worth of live batting practice...The idea is to have every starting pitcher throw a bullpen, then a live BP session, before working in a Grapefruit League game...It was quite an afternoon for infield prospect Christian Koss, who smoked two solo homers -- one in the eighth to tie the game and another in the ninth to win it, giving the Sox a 7-6 walkoff win over Tampa Bay. Ironically, the big game came on the same day in which the Colorado Rockies, from whom he was traded to the Sox, designated pitcher Yoan Aybar for assignment.