By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Maybe the Red Sox should have stuck with Mark Melancon as the closer. Based on this video of him diving with great white sharks, he has the right amount of crazy for the job.

Somewhere in this is a metaphor for his now pitching in the AL East.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Righthanded reliever Scott Atchison, who was designated for assignment last month, cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Atchison will be in major league camp for spring training.

Atchison, who turns 36 in March, appeared in 60 games with the Red Sox over the last two seasons with an earned run average of 4.08.

Maureen Mullen of Comcast had the news first.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Brutal loss for the Patriots tonight.

Pitchers and catchers report in two short weeks. It's baseball season.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Not exactly sure what Kevin Youkilis is up to here. But he did attend the Maxim Party last night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It had a superhero theme.

It was a fun party, especially when Ludacris performed.

Bobby Valentine is supposed to be here for the game, too. He's watching with Don Shula.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Globe colleague Nick Cafardo had the news this morning. The Red Sox avoided arbitration with RHP Alfredo Aceves by signing him to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million with $100,000 available in bonuses based on starts or appearances.

The Sox had offered $950,000 in arbitration with Aceves seeking $1.6 million.

Aceves is going to camp as a starter but could end up in the bullpen or in some sort of hybrid role. He was 10-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 55 appearances last season after being released by the Yankees.

Now the Red Sox have one unsigned arbitration-eligible player: David Ortiz. Big Papi is seeking $16.5 million with the Red Sox offering $12.65 million.

Ortiz told ESPN Deportes that he was hoping the sides would agree on a multi-year deal. Ben Cherington has said for several weeks now that a one-year deal was the likely result.

There is no word when the arbitration hearing would be. They were scheduled for Fen. 2-17, so presumably sometime soon.

The Red Sox have not gone to a hearing with a player since 2002 when they could not settle with pitcher Rolando Arrojo. In arbitration, a three-person panel would hear the cases and select one of the offers.

Ortiz is essentially a signed player. It's just a matter of whether the two sides hammer out a deal or the panel picks one. Negotiations can continue right up until the hearing.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Ben Cherington said earlier this week that it was unlikely the Red Sox would add a starting pitcher before spring training. But he also said that he couldn't rule it out.

To the best of my ability, here are the unsigned starting pitchers who could come to camp and actually pitch:

Rich Harden
Ross Ohlendorf
Roy Oswalt
Brad Penny
Tim Wakefield

Oswalt, obviously, is the prize of that group. He seems intent on the Rangers and Cardinals, two teams that do not need a starter. The Cardinals could try and clear room for him. At this point, the only way he gets to the Red Sox is by sucking it up and taking a bargain deal. Or John Henry realizes that his No. 5 starter might be Aaron Cook.

Here's the problem with Oswalt: He's the best guy you can get at this point but he would come grudgingly. That's not what you want, not in a place like Boston.

Harden and Ohlendorf are injury cases. I'd rather have Harden competing for a job than the likes of Vicente Padilla and Carlos Silva. But at some point you run out of innings for all these guys in spring training.

Penny was brutal with the Sox in 2009 and had a bad second half for the Tigers last season. Best of luck.

Wakefield wants to be in camp. But he had a 5.59 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP and opponents had an .846 OPS against him after July 1 last season. He also turns 46 in August. At some point, being realistic trumps being sentimental and maybe the Red Sox are at that point.

The other issue is this: Let's say they invite Wakefield to camp and tell him there are no promises. The only way he makes the team is to pitch really well. You're putting Bobby Valentine in a tough spot. The last thing a new manager wants is to be the guy who cuts the beloved civic icon.

It's a complicated issue with little upside. What would be the very best you could expect from Wakefield? It's probably 130 innings and a 4.50 ERA or so. That's the top line. Is that worth the risk of Wakefield pitching poorly and ending his career ignominiously?

Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 19 and it's Feb. 3. Based on that, it looks like the Red Sox have made their decision on Wakefield.

But as Cherington says, you can't rule anything out.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, who was at the center of the team's clubhouse drinking scandal last season, broke his silence on the matter on Thursday.

Beckett chose a safe harbor, going on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk" show hosted by former teammate Kevin Millar.

"I think the biggest key is what [Jon] Lester said to the end that, we stunk on the field and that was the bottom line," Beckett said. "If we would have pitched better, none of that stuff would have even been an issue. And it shouldn't be an issue anyway because what goes on in the clubhouse should stay in the clubhouse. I don't care who says that or whatever, I'm not saying we don't make mistakes in the clubhouse ... it's just what goes on in the clubhouse, it's supposed to stay in the clubhouse."

Beckett also discussed his meeting with Bobby Valentine last month.

"I don’t think we really got specific with anything. Bobby came to my house and we had a great talk," Beckett said. "He seems like he’s really excited about this. I think the first thing I said to him was, ‘Hey, congratulations,’ because I don’t think anybody’s ever been handed something like the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox, not only the organization, but the team that we have right now is so talented and he even said, ‘Yeah, I know exactly what you’re talking about.' "

Valentine said at the time that Beckett was "pissed" about some of his comments on ESPN last year about the righthander's slow pace on the mound.

"We had a little talk about it and I think it was initiated just as a kind of conversation starter. It wasn’t really anything too detailed," Beckett said "I think it was one of those deals where he felt bad because somebody else told him he should feel bad about it, but it wasn’t anything for me."

Ellsbury's take on the collapse

Jacoby Ellsbury talked to the Portland Tribune about the collapse last season.

“We just didn’t win games at the end,” he said. “We started the season off cold, were one of the best teams in baseball through the middle of the season, then fell off at the end. I don’t think you can pinpoint one specific thing as a reason, but it was disappointing to all of us that it happened.”

He also discussed Terry Francona's departure and the arrival of Valentine.

“I liked Tito,” Ellsbury said. “But sometimes when you don’t win, changes are made. Managers get fired. Players can get traded at any time, too. You have to go about your business and be a professional about it.”

Valentine recently visited with Ellsbury in Arizona.

“He’s excited for this season,” Ellsbury said. “He has a lot of energy. He’ll be good for our players. We’re looking forward to getting started.”

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

The Red Sox have hired one of former Cubs GM Jim Hendry's top assistants to help out their major league scouting staff. He's veteran scout Gary Hughes, who served as special assistant to Hendry before resigning in late September after Hendry was fired.

Hughes, 70, spent nine seasons with the Cubs under Hendry, who was hired as a special assistant to the Yankees' Brian Cashman just a few days ago.

The hire, first reported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, was confirmed by the Red Sox.

Hughes scouted Tom Brady as a catcher at Serra High School in San Mateo, Calif., for the Montreal Expos and recommended the Expos draft Brady. Hughes always believed Brady would have been a very good catcher.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Madonna is performing at halftime of the Super Bowl. She also once dated Alex Rodriguez.

So when Madonna held a press conference this afternoon, it seemed obvious to ask her whether A-Rod really has a painting of himself as centaur.

I had my hand raised, but Rich Shertenlieb of the Toucher and Rich Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub beat me to it.

"Wow. If he does, I haven't seen it." said Madonna. "But I'm pretty sure he has a very large photograph of me lying on a horse. I hope that answers your question."

Kudos to Rich for asking the question. Any time you can poke fun at A-Rod with Madonna's help on live television, it's a great day.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

And then there was ... Oswalt.

Edwin Jackson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals believed to be in the $10 million range, which was about twice as much as the Red Sox wanted to spend.

Scott Boras told me moments ago he had a few offers for Jackson, some multi-year, one two-year and some one-year deals. He chose Washington which could be a contender in the NL East.

Boras has a signed a few players to one-year deals recently including Ryan Madson with the Reds and Kyle Lohse with the Cardinals. Obviously Adrian Beltre signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox two years ago. Boras does it when he realizes there will be another market developing for the player if he performs well in a big setting.

Boras praised Sox Ben Cherington for his diligence in trying to keep in touch on Jackson, but in the end Washington had a better offer.

Cherington said Wedneday at the Red Sox Town Hall held in Worcester that he was unlikely to sign a pitcher before spring training.

Roy Oswalt remains an option. But the veteran righty may also get a better deal elsewhere.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Danny Woodhead is listed as 5-foot-8, 195 pounds by the Patriots. Dustin Pedroia is listed as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds by the Red Sox.

Both have been told they were too small to make in their respective sports. But Pedroia helped win a World Series and now Woodhead will be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

The question had to be asked. Has Woodhead ever met Pedroia?

"I have not met him. I've seen him play a lot, but I've never met him," Woodhead said. "I'm sure he would be the first to say, too, that his height probably does not make a big difference in his game. Everyone else wants to make a big deal about it. But it's really not.

"Dustin is a great player and he's accomplished a lot. He's a guy I would love to meet and hopefully I'll have a chance to make it over to Fenway some day."

------------

Meanwhile, the Patriots players held their final press conference today before the game. Bill Belichick will do one more tomorrow.

Belichick seems oddly relaxed to me. He has cracked jokes at the press conferences, given reasonable — even expansive — answers to every question and even talked about what they've done in practice.

He either is supremely confident or he can't believe this team even got to the Super Bowl given all of its defensive issues.

The players are a relatively cheerful bunch based on my limited exposure to them this week. None of the Patriots make silly predictions or go too in-depth when talking about the game. But they're happy to talk about almost anything else.

Wes Welker is really funny.. Who knew? And Rob Gronkowski is, too. Also enjoyed talking to Kevin Faulk, the grand old man of the Patriots.

The Giants, conversely, are pretty arrogant for a team that lost seven games during the season. I've lost count at how many of them have guaranteed victory. You would expect better of a team coached by Tom Coughlin.

All in all, covering the Super Bowl has been fun. But spring training beckons a week from today.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Vicente Padilla, who was signed to a minor-league contract by the Red Sox, faces arrest in his native Nicaragua.

The Nicaragua Dispatch reports that Padilla had his passport revoked and is the subject of a "capture order" after failing to pay $540 a month in child support for his 10th child.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Padilla has made approximately $50 million in his career.

Padilla is expected to be among the many competitors for a spot in the Red Sox rotation.

(Thanks to several readers who sent along the link to this story. Much appreciated.)

UPDATE, 10:18 p.m.: According to LaPrensa of Nicaragua, the arrest order was rescinded but Padilla apparently still has immigration issues related to the child-support payments.

Padilla has an attorney and they are attempting to media the situation. Pitchers and catchers do not report until Feb. 19, so there is time for the matter to be settled in time for Padilla to arrive on time.

Ben Cherington said it was unlikely the Red Sox would add a starter before spring training. Seth Lakso has the story.

WORCESTER -- Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told NESN.com tonight that the chances of landing a pitcher like Roy Oswalt and/or Edwin Jackson are unlikely prior to spring training.

Cherington, speaking to reporters before the Red Sox-NESN Town Hall at Worcester Technical High School, said, "We wouldn't rule out adding a starter, but I think it's unlikely at this point. "We're going to keep looking for ways to improve the team, including the pitching staff, I wouldn't expect any major changes."

Oswalt and Jackson remain the two best starting pitchers on the market, but both pitchers may have to settle for a one-year deal.

Cherington has commented that the Yankees and Rays probably look deeper on paper with their rotation, but Cherington has maintained a consistent approach to the offseason. Both Oswalt and Jackson have been made one-year offers, but they do not appear near the $8-$10 million either pitcher would be seeking.

Cherington reiterated that he felt comfortable with the roster as is.

"There's elements of it we feel really good about and elements of it that we'd like to be stronger just like any year," Cherington said. "We think the lineup is pretty balanced and I think we have some options in the bullpen and that can be a strength. We like the front of the rotation. We're going to find out more about the end of the rotation in spring training and see if guys step up."

For those interested, this information from the Red Sox:

Registration for the opportunity to purchase tickets in the 2012 random drawings strarted today at noon online at redsox.com.

Fans may register for the chance to purchase tickets for select Red Sox home games including Opening Day, all nine home contests against the Yankees, as well as the chance to purchase tickets to the highly sought-after Green Monster and Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck locations.

The opportunity to register for the random drawing starts at noon today online at redsox.com, and will run through noon on the day of each drawing. Three separate random drawings will take place. There is no fee to register, and fans can register for all three random drawings at once. To ensure these tickets are available to as many different fans as possible, the Red Sox will limit purchases to four tickets per customer per drawing.

The complete registration, notification and sale schedule for all three drawings are as follows:

REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS
Noon EST, Wednesday, February 1

OPENING DAY, YANKEES GAMES TICKET DRAWING
Registration Period Ends: Noon EST, Monday, February 6

Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, February 8

On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST Saturday, February 11

GREEN MONSTER TICKET DRAWING
Registration Period Ends: Noon EST, Monday, February 13

Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, February 15

On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST Saturday, February 18

RIGHT FIELD ROOF DECK TICKET DRAWING
Registration Period Ends: Noon EST, Monday, March 5

Winners Notified via E-Mail with Instructions How to Participate: Wednesday, March 7

On-Line Purchase for Drawing Winners: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST Saturday, March 10

SCHEDULE FOR PHONE SALES

For fans who do not have internet access, or those not selected in the random online drawings, tickets will be sold by telephone at (877) RED-SOX9 for each of the three categories according to the following schedule:

YANKEE GAMES and OPENING DAY
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 11

GREEN MONSTER TICKETS
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 18

RIGHT FIELD ROOF DECK TICKETS
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 10

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Mallett has not fielded many interview requests this week. The rookie quarterback from Arkansas has not played in a game for the Patriots this season and almost certainly will not play in the Super Bowl.

A third-round pick out of Arkansas, Mallett could one day be Tom Brady's successor. He's 6-foot-6, 238 pounds and has a terrific arm. The Patriots were surprised when Mallett fell into the third round and snapped him up when he did.

"This is a year for me to learn," Mallett said. "There's not much to say beyond that. I'm soaking in all the experience I can."

But Mallett was happy to talk to a reporter this morning when he was asked about Red Sox third base prospect Will Middlebrooks.

Mallett and Middlebrooks have been close friends for the last 11 years. Their fathers were football coaches and when Mallett moved to Hooks, Texas, in seventh grade, Middlebrooks soon became like a brother to him.

"I met him at a football camp and he was the only one there who could throw the ball like me," Mallett said. "He could really spin it. We started talking and ever since then, we hit it off. He's my boy."

Mallett played quarterback at Texas High in Hooks. Middlebrooks was the quarterback at Liberty-Eylau High, a smaller school.

According to Mallett, Middlebrooks had a bright future in football before he turned to baseball.

"He was a beast. He won a state championship, he was the All-State punter. He could throw and I always thought he could be a great receiver," Mallett said. "One of his teammates was [University of Oregon star] LaMichael James. He was big-time."

Middlebrooks turned down a scholarship to play football and baseball at Texas A&M after the Red Sox drafted him in 2007 and signed him to a $925,000 bonus.

"I would have kept playing baseball if I knew I could get that kind of money," Mallett said. "But Will deserved it. He's a great baseball player."

Middlebrooks hit .285 with 23 home runs and 94 RBIs in 116 minor league games last season. He then hit four home runs in 13 games in the Arizona Fall League before straining a ligament in his left hand while chasing a foul ball. He was shut down at that point but has remained in Arizona working out and preparing for spring training.

Baseball America ranks Middlebrooks as the organization's top prospect. The plan is for him to spend this season with Class AAA Pawtucket, but that could change depending on need.

"He's right there," said Mallett, who plans to go to Florida and see Middlebrooks in spring training. "It's exciting."

In a few years, Mallett could be the starting quarterback of the Patriots and Middlebrooks the starting third baseman of the Red Sox.

"The weirdest thing is we always used to talk about that," Mallett said. "We used to say, 'We'll be on the same team or maybe we'll live in the same city.' Now maybe it will happen. How weird is that? It would literally be a dream come true."

The Red Sox and NESN are hosting a Town Hall tonight at Worcester Technical High School. The event begins at 7 p.m.

A group of fans will participate in an open dialogue with general manager Ben Cherington and manager Bobby Valentine as the team prepares to head to Fort Myers to begin the season.

The event will be hosted by NESN’s Tom Caron.

Fans can participate by submitting questions in advance via NESN.com/townhall or via Twitter by sending a tweet to @NESN and including the hashtag #TownHall.

Due to the limited space, in-studio audience attendance will be by invitation only.

Have a question? Submit your question here to be considered for the next edition of Ask Nick.

We started this mailbag several weeks ago and the same issue remains -- compensation for allowing former general manager Theo Epstein to leave for the Cubs. The commissioner's office feels it will likely render a decision sooner rather than later. We're waiting.

It's the issue that's struck a nerve with many fans in Red Sox Nation. After all, the Cubs were allowed to take Epstein in exchange for "significant compensation." The sides just couldn't agree on the meaning of significant, but the commissioner will make that determination.

Fans still seem concerned about Boston's pitching depth. And gosh darn, there's a fellow from Colombia who still feels Ryan Sweeney is a comparable player to Fred Lynn. I don't think he's kidding.

Thank you to all of the nice people who came over to say hello at the Hot Stove Cool Music roundtable discussion on Monday, which concentrated on the divide between small market and large market teams. Epstein, Cherington, Pirates GM Neal Huntington, MLB Network's Sean Casey and Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson all did a pretty good job. Moderator Peter Gammons really kept the questions and dialogue flowing. And a lot of money was raised for Paul and Theo Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later, which does great work with underprivileged children in the Boston area.

Here's the bag:

Is Cody Ross a good player?
Alex, Washington, DC

I've always liked Ross' dirt dog style. He has holes in his swing, but I think he is an everyday player with decent power which should show up at Fenway especially. He obviously has a flare for the dramatic, as he showed in the 2010 postseason. Didn't have the best of years in 2011, but at $3 million this was one of those good value signings.

1. Fred Lynn was not that graceful. He had a strange stride. 2. Ryan Sweeney has power. He did not play in Fenway, which was the reason Lynn prospered with power. Out of Fenway, Lynn declined. 3. I think Sweeney is a much better center fielder than you credit him with. He also has a strong arm. Graceful? Sweeney is very athletic and seem to be able to do things Lynn could not do. Prior to 2011, no one thought Ellsbury had power. This season will tell. I am pleased that Cody Ross was added.
Vicente, Colombia, Calif

We're continuing a debate from the last time when I disagreed with your comparison of Ryan Sweeney to Fred Lynn. I disagree with you again. Lynn WAS graceful. I agree that outside of Fenway, Lynn wasn't as good of a player. But he had a nice long, productive career outside of Boston as well.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Media Day at the Super Bowl was every bit as silly as I expected. That was evident right away when I walked into Lucas Oil Stadium just after a guy dressed up in an orange and green super hero outfit, complete with a black mask and a cape.

In baseball, we talk about baseball during postseason interview days. The starting pitchers for the next game sit at a table and take questions, as do the managers.

At Super Bowl media day, football is not a particularly popular topic except for the handful of reporters who are actually here to cover the game. These were some of the questions I heard asked:

-- Do you speak any German?

-- What do you listen to on your iPod before the game?

-- Do you have a message for the people of Mexico?

-- You are a kicker, yes?

-- What kind of shampoo do you use in your hair?

-- Have you ever been to Hawaii?

-- What kind of dance will you do if your team wins?

-- Can you spell "Belichick?"

Meanwhile, Maria Menounos was edged out by pop star Ciara in the competition for who could wear the tightest pants while also wearing a football jersey contest. But Maria, the pride of Medford, gave it a heck of a shot.

A women from Mexico, meanwhile, wore a red dress that resembled body paint. It was so tight she could barely walk. Shockingly, she had no problems getting interviews. She came equipped with a sombrero that the players all happily wore on camera.

There were fans who apparently paid actual money to watch this. One guy wore a complete Tom Brady uniform, down to the eye black. Some reporters, bored with the actual players, ventured over to the stands to interview him. I assume the first question was, "My God, have you no shame?"

Ross Ventrone, he of the long hair and 21 transactions since Aug 10, claimed he was a poet. That quickly established him as the Media Day MVP because everybody with a notebook or microphone loves a scrub player who's colorful.

Rich Ohrnberger and Ryan Wendell did promos for the television network in Germany despite not speaking any German. Their first take wasn't good enough, however.

"You need more enthusiasm," they were told by the producer.

They tried again, this time with big smiles and two thumbs up. The demanding Germans deemed that performance acceptable.

The Pats were on the field from 10 to 11 a.m. After a break for brunch, the Giants had their turn at noon. By then, the hordes had thinned a bit.

Still, somebody hung around long enough to ask Eli Manning if he was staying with his brother Peyton this week since both were in Indianapolis. Turns out Eli is an adult and was staying at team hotel.

The players on both teams smiled and laughed their way through the whole thing. One can only imagine how Josh Beckett or Kevin Youkilis would react in a similar environment. Somehow, I don't see them doing promos for German television.

The Patriots have another interview session tomorrow morning. I believe they filter out the superheroes for this one. But hopefully Maria will be back. Stay tuned.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

According to Kyodo News of Japan, Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 21 pitches off the mound today in Fort Myers.

"Today is like a warm-up," Matsuzaka said, according to the paper. "I think I'll throw harder next week."

He will long toss on Wednesday and return to the bullpen Friday as long as there are no setbacks.

Matsuzaka had Tommy John elbow surgery last June. He is not expected back until sometime around the All-Star break.

For starters, rehab usually consists of gradually building up arm strength followed by a minor league assignment. Along with regaining strength, pitchers also have to develop a feel for their breaking pitches, which put more stress on the elbow.

Also:

• Major League Baseball will host a showcase series for unsigned players from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic from Feb. 3-4 in Boca Chica. The top 25 amateurs from each country were invited. They would be eligible to sign on July 2.

David Ortiz will spend an evening with the prospects speaking to them about the transition to becoming a professional.