Will Middlebrooks preparing to start at third for Boston

If the Red Sox's roster stays the same heading into spring training, Will Middlebrooks appears to be the favorite to open the season as Boston's starting third baseman. If the Red Sox perhaps re-sign shortstop Stephen Drew, then it might not be as much of a slam dunk since Middlebrooks will likely get competition from Xander Bogaerts for the starting job.

"I haven’t talked to anyone about it," Middlebrooks said, per WEEI.com. "I haven’t even talked to Stephen. I have to prepare like I’m the starting third baseman for the Red Sox. So I’m going to prepare, because regardless of what happens I’m going to be playing baseball somewhere. I’m hoping it’s in Boston because this is where I want to spend my career. I love it here. We’ll see, but, like I said, I’m going to be playing baseball so I have to be ready."