The Red Sox rank No. 4 and No. 2, which eventually may mean No. 1 again.

Got that?

The Red Sox had the fourth highest payroll, according to figures released by the Associated Press (if you like lists, see below). That's a switch from big-spending Boston always being No. 2 behind the big, big spenders in the Bronx. Detroit and the Mets have passed the Red Sox.

As far as No. 2, that's where the Red Sox are ranked by Baseball America when it comes to talent in the farm system.

Tampa Bay ranks No. 1 in organizational talent, which is good for the Rays, since they are next to last (above the Marlins) in salaries.

Baseball America ranks the Yankees fifth, the Tigers 27th, and the Mets 28th.

In Boston minor league news, right-handed pitching prospect Justin Masterson gave some interesting insights into his fade at the end of last year. He said a tender left shoulder messed up his delivery (see the story in today's Press Herald - www.pressherald.com)

Masterson will start Thursday's season opener for Portland. Michael Bowden pitches Friday, followed by Chris Smith, Kris Johnson and Dustin Richardson.

One more minor league outfielder was released. soxprospects.com reported that free agent Rich Thompson, who would be 29 later this month, was let go. With outfielder Bryan Pritz placed on the DL earlier, that leaves the Pawtucket roster with its 24-man limit:

STARTERS: Bartolo Colon, David Pauley, Devern Hansack, Michael Tejera, Charlie Zink.
RELIEVERS: Abe Alvarez, Lee Gronkiewicz, Craig Hansen, Dan Kolb, Lincoln Holdzkom, Edgar Martinez, Jon Switzer.
CATCHERS Dusty Brown, George Kottaras
INFIELDERS: Keith Ginter, Jed Lowrie, Chad Spann.
OUTFIELDERS: Bobby Kielty, Jon Van Every.
INFIELDERS/OUTFIELDERS: Jeff Bailey, Chris Carter, Brandon Moss, Joe Thurston, Gil Velazquez.

And now for those Major League salary lists:

Team Payroll / Average

N.Y. Yankees $209,081,579 $6,744,567

Detroit 138,685,197 4,622,840

New York Mets 138,293,378 4,609,779

Boston 133,440,037 4,765,716

Chicago White Sox 121,152,667 4,487,136

Los Angeles Angels 119,216,333 4,110,908

Chicago Cubs 118,595,833 4,392,438

Los Angeles Dodgers 118,536,038 4,233,430

Seattle 117,993,982 4,538,230

Atlanta 102,424,018 3,414,134

St. Louis 100,624,450 3,049,226

Toronto 98,641,957 3,522,927

Philadelphia 98,269,881 3,388,617

Houston 88,930,415 3,293,719

Milwaukee 81,004,167 2,793,247

Cleveland 78,970,067 3,037,310

San Francisco 76,904,500 2,651,879

Cincinnati 74,277,695 2,971,108

San Diego 73,677,617 2,376,697

Colorado 68,655,500 2,640,596

Texas 68,239,551 2,353,088

Baltimore 67,196,248 2,099,883

Arizona 66,202,713 2,364,383

Minnesota 62,182,767 2,487,311

Kansas City 58,245,500 2,240,212

Washington 54,961,000 1,895,207

Pittsburgh 49,365,283 1,898,665

Oakland 47,967,126 1,713,112

Tampa Bay 43,820,598 1,460,687

Florida 21,836,500 661,712

BOSTON RED SOX

Manny Ramirez $18,929,923

J.D. Drew 14,000,000

David Ortiz 13,000,000

Mike Lowell 12,500,000

Jason Varitek 10,442,031

Josh Beckett 10,166,667

Julio Lugo 9,250,000

Daisuke Matsuzaka 8,333,333

Curt Schilling 8,000,000

Coco Crisp 5,083,333

Tim Wakefield 4,000,000

Julian Tavarez 3,850,000

Mike Timlin 3,000,000

Kevin Youkilis 3,000,000

Alex Cora 2,000,000

Hideki Okajima 1,275,000

Javier Lopez 840,000

Kyle Snyder 835,000

Sean Casey 800,000

Jonathan Papelbon 775,000

Dustin Pedroia 457,000

Kevin Cash 450,000

Jon Lester 421,500

Manny Delcarmen 421,000

Jacoby Ellsbury 406,000

Bryan Corey 405,000

David Aardsma 403,250

Clay Buchholz 396,000

MLB'S TOP 25

1, Alex Rodriguez, NYY $28,000,000

2, Jason Giambi, NYY 23,428,571

3, Derek Jeter, NYY 21,600,000

4, Manny Ramirez, Bos 18,929,923

5, Carlos Beltran, NYM 18,622,810

6, Ichiro Suzuki, Sea 17,102,149

7, Johan Santana, NYM 16,984,216

8, Todd Helton, Col 16,600,000

9, Torii Hunter, LAA 16,500,000

10, Bobby Abreu, NYY 16,000,000

(tie) Carlos Delgado, NYM 16,000,000

(tie) Andy Pettitte, NYY 16,000,000

(tie) Carlos Zambrano, Cubs 16,000,000

14, Mike Hampton, Atl 15,975,185

15, Magglio Ordonez, Det 15,768,175

16, Rafael Furcal, LAD 15,730,196

17, Jim Thome, WSox 15,666,667

18, Vladimir Guerrero, LAA 15,500,000

(tie) Tim Hudson, Atl 15,500,000

(tie) Richie Sexson, Sea 15,500,000

21, Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 15,250,000

22, Jason Schmidt, LAD 15,217,401

23, Randy Johnson, Ari 15,100,546

24, Mariano Rivera, NYY 15,000,000

25, Miguel Tejada, Hou 14,811,415

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