Wed Mar 19 11:45:31 2008

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Red Sox threaten to boycott trip to Japan

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Players from the Boston Red Sox are reportedly threatening to boycott the team's trip to Japan for a season-opening two-game series against Oakland if a financial matter is not resolved.

Major League Baseball is giving the players a $40,000 appearance fee to make the trip, but the Boston Herald is reporting that the players will not board the plane Wednesday afternoon if the coaching staff is not paid the same stipend.

According to the Herald, the team held a meeting Wednesday morning and voted to boycott Wednesday afternoon's spring finale against Toronto in Fort Myers if the issue is not resolved. If there is no progress by Wednesday afternoon, the players reportedly won't get on the plane bound for Tokyo.

The paper quoted Red Sox manager Terry Francona as saying, "They were told they were going to be [paid]. For a coach, in some cases, this is two-fifths of their salary for the year. It's a big deal. I don't agree that coaches are second-class citizens. That has never sat well with me, ever, and continues to boggle my mind."

Boston and Oakland are scheduled to open the 2008 season on March 25 and 26 in Japan.