I just finished watching the Sox beat the Cubs 5-3.  Yeah, I know it's an exhibition game and yeah I know that the Sox played most of their starters and the Cubs played about half of theirs, but this isn't about bragging.  I don't care who beats who during the exhibition season.  I'm more interested in seeing how the team is progressing and since I don't get Comcast up here in the rural hinterland, I have to rely on WGN.  So, this afternoon was my first look at the Sox.

Some thoughts:

• Nick Masset looked okay.  I suppose if the Sox are getting their brains beat out, he'd be okay to throw in to eat up some innings.  Based on Kenny Williams' glowing comments, Masset has already made the team.  He has no options left and I think Kenny loves him enough to hang on to him.
• Joe Crede looked good on defense.  The hitting will come.  I'm also a little concerned about his base running, just because he hurt his back.  The good thing is he looks like he's playing full out and not favoring anything.  This is good for the Sox and whatever team he winds up on before the end of the season.
• This kid Ramirez is going to be good.  Defensively, he's impressive.
• I thought the reason the Sox traded for Orlando Cabrera was because he was such a great handler of the bat and number two hitter.  I came away very unimpressed with him today.
• Jason Bourgeois?  Perfect name for a Sox player.  It means "middle class man."  Don't believe me?  Go to babel fish and translate it yourself.  Not a bad performance from him offensively. 
  
• I wish I could have seen Brian Anderson.  Ozzie was very blunt in his assessment of him, but it seems like they may give him a shot to at least make the big club as a platoon center fielder with Jerry Owens.  Either that or maybe raise his trade value to a point where they could package him with Crede and actually get something that will help them besides a handful of magic beans.
• Scott Linebrink looked okay.  So did Boone Logan. 
  
• Really the only open roster slots are a fifth outfielder and one position in the bullpen.  The rest is done.  Based on the chit chat with Ozzie and Kenny, it's obvious they prefer Wasserman in the bullpen.
  
• I still don't think these guys have the talent to beat Detroit.  But I think they might be slightly better than we've been thinking.  That would mean a shot at second, thinking Cleveland might have a down year.  Nah, it's just the thin air is Arizona.