So SoxFest, an event for which I've never understood the appeal, opens today. And that means we've had a number of Sox articles in the past few days, with more on the way, I'm sure.

• Here's your typical Ozzieball article.
• Mark Gonzales writes that the Sox are in good financial shape, a point we can't really argue. But it doesn't help the bumping against the payroll ceiling '09 Sox, who, despite "slashing payroll," figure to trim 10% or less (year over year) from their functional '08 payroll.
• Scott Linebrink is throwing without pain, but Colon isn't.
• Yes Larry, I know I'm a day late with this link -- what can I say? I haven't been around much this week -- but Williams sat down with the media on Wednesday, De Luca seemed to have the best recap.