The trash-talking continues between members of the Red Sox and Alex Rodriguez. Though Rodriguez has yet to report to camp, and offer any comebacks himself, he doesn’t need to be around to draw attention to himself. This story is already old, but it’ll be a running theme to contend with all season long. In other backpage news, ol’ quotable himself, Boomer Wells, was talking to the Daily News yesterday:

“I’ve never had a good relationship with Joe, we’ve had a few run-ins, and Mel Stottlemyre, as well,” Wells added. “Mel’s probably the best pitching coach I’ve ever had, but when you have run-ins like that, it just leaves a sour taste. And who needs it? I can understand their point, and hopefully, they can understand mine.

“There’s no hard feelings one way or another. Life moves on and now I’m in a Boston uniform and it’s my job … to go out there and beat the Yankees.”

Curt Schilling likes to talk even more than Wells does. Here is his relatively tame latest take on Alex Rodriguez:

“I’m pretty sure that me not liking Alex Rodriguez is not a groundbreaking story. I’m sure there’s a lot of guys in the big leagues that don’t like each other. The comments came about because of play in the field last year. I never really thought it was nearly as big a deal as people have made it. I’m pretty sure Alex could care less whether I like him or not. I don’t need somebody not liking me to motivate me to play. The guy’s an MVP.”

That’s couldn’t care less, but pernt taken.