Tuesday Links: Take a break from snow shoveling

Shortly following the passing of former Cubs great Ernie Banks, the Red Sox family lost one of their own as Bill Monbouquette passed away from leukemia.

A Medford, Massacheusetts native, Monbouquette played for 11 seasons with his hometown Red Sox, and amassed a close to 100 wins in a Boston uniform. A right-handed thrower, Monbouquette represented the Red Sox in four All-Star games, and collected the 13th no-hitter in team history. Following his days on the diamond, Monbouquette served as a pitching coach for the Detroit Tigers single-A affiliate, and was enshrined into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2000. Monbouquette’s battle with leukemia lasted approximately 7 years, until complications from the disease took his life on Sunday at the age of 78.

• After suffering a Lisfranc injury in 2013 and subsequently enduring the worst year of his career in 2014, Allen Craig has a lot to prove in his first full season with the Red Sox. But Craig, who was once a force in the middle of the Cardinals order, isn’t entering the battle without supporters. Boston starter Joe Kelly, who was shipped to Boston with Craig during the trade deadline, insisted that he believes the 31-year old will return to his normal form in 2015. (Kelly on Allen Craig: He’s going to dominate)

• Rick Porcello has yet to throw a pitch in a Red Sox uniform, but should Boston’s front office consider locking up the 26-year old before he hits free agency in 2016? The right-hander represents a rare case in which he will hit the open market well before the age of 30 — an age most consider to be starters prime seasons. Therefore Boston could try to negotiate a 1 or 2 year pact in an effort to add some stability to their rotation, while giving Porcello the money his numbers and age warrant. (Should Sox try to lock up Porcello?)

• Six months after the Red Sox inked Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo to a 7-year deal, the team is back in the international market. Boston became the latest team to hold a private workout for shortstop Yoan Moncada, who’s projected to make close to $40 million. While some financial stipulations come attached to the 19-year old, Boston’s history of international spending makes them a strong candidate in the Moncada sweepstakes. (Red Sox held a private workout for Yoan Moncada)

• While minor league baseball will experiment with 20-second pitch clocks this season, Red Sox owner John Henry sees it as a precursor of things to come in the Majors. Henry could have an inside track on the MLB’s effort to speed up the game, as Red Sox chairman Tom Werner and Red Sox key partner Michael Gordon are both on the MLB’s Pace of Play committee. The longstanding owner of the Red Sox felt that the Arizona Fall Leagues initial adaptation of the pitch clocks worked well for players and fans alike. (Red Sox owner John Henry predicts pitch clocks will be in baseball’s future)

• Tweet of the day: A motivate Jackie Bradley Jr. is a great thing to see.