BOSTON -- The opportunity to negotiate with free agents other than your own began at midnight, but don't expect any bold strokes by the Red Sox right out of the gate.
Unlike the NFL, NHL or NBA, MLB free agency is typically a slower moving process.
"The phone calls we make Thursday, the first full day of free agency are mostly place-holders," said general manager Ben Cherington. "It's just registering interest. Not much happens right away. It takes a while. We'll get in touch with a bunch of people Thursday just to sort of register potential interest and then keep in touch as time goes on."
Cherington said his primary focus in free agency will be building pitching depth and a getting a right-handed outfield bat.