BOSTON — What is encouraging for Boston Red Sox fans is that a World Series season has also been a rebuilding year for Boston. The team has phased in several young players to the highest level.

“I think we’re in a very healthy place,” Red Sox Manager John Farrell said.

Farrell referenced three players who began the season in Portland and reached the majors – Brandon Workman, Xander Bogaerts and Drake Britton (the former two making the World Series roster).

And there are more players from the 2013 roster on their way, including pitchers Anthony Ranaudo, Matt Barnes and Henry Owens.

“We have some power arms that are closing in on their debut,” Farrell said. “And (the organization) was fortified by the trade last year (with the Dodgers) when you acquire a (Allen) Webster and a (Rubby) De La Rosa.”

Farrell also mentioned outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (Sea Dogs player in 2012) as a player of the future. Bradley began the season on the major league roster because of injuries and could be the starting center fielder next year.

 

BOSTON HAS FOUR FREE agents after this season: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Napoli and Stephen Drew.

Farrell said that has not been a distraction.

“That conversation about what’s pending for them this offseason has never come before their work and what our goal is on a given night,” Farrell said. “And that’s to their credit. They’ve been great team players.”

 

THE CARDINALS WERE stuck in their chartered airplane for six hours on the runway at the St. Louis airport Tuesday because of mechanical problems. The players had their families with them on the plane.

“There really wasn’t much else we could do except sit there, hang out with each other, try to play babysitter,” Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly said.

 

CARLTON FISK and Luis Tiant threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Fisk, the hero of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, said he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch in Game 6 of both the 2004 and 2007 Series, but Boston won in four both times.

Fisk hit a 12th-inning home run over the Green Monster to win Game 6 in 1975.

He is famously known for waving at the ball, willing it to go fair.

 

THE SEA DOGS announced a few of their bobblehead doll giveaways for 2014, taking advantage of the World Series buzz.

Two former Sea Dogs, Xander Bogaerts and Daniel Nava, will be immortalized in plastic and a springy neck. The Bogaerts doll be given out July 21, the Nava doll on Aug. 12.

 

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS for the 2014 season will go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday at Hadlock Field. Orlando Cabrera, the Red Sox shortstop in the 2004 World Series, will make an appearance and sign autographs from 9-11 a.m. See www.seadogs.com for details.

 

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:kthomas@pressherald.comTwitter: @ClearTheBases