Projo Sox Blog

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON – The Red Sox have been given until ''early next week’’ to accept or decline the opportunity to open the 2008 season in Tokyo against the Oakland A’s, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

Major League Baseball is awaiting a response from both teams and is withholding the release of the 2008 schedule until a determination on the Japanese series is made.

A division exists within the Red Sox organization, with the team’s baseball operations staff against such a series, while CEO and President Larry Lucchino – a member of MLB’s International Committee -- said to be the biggest advocate for the trip.

The team’s baseball operations staff believes that the trip would put unnecessary strain on the players to start the season, citing the problems experienced by the New York Yankees – who opened in Japan against Tampa Bay in 2004 –- to support their claim.

Whether the Sox go to Japan or not, they appear set to play Oakland to open next season. If the Sox pass on the trip, they will instead open on the West Coast against the A’s in Oakland.

According to a source, the team will meet five of the six NL Central teams in interleague play, with an additional series played against Philadelphia. The Sox will play Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Houston, but not the Chicago Cubs.

In recent seasons, the Sox have alternated between Atlanta and Philadelphia as their annual ''traditional’’ rival.

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