This day, we can allow the hallowed words to be uttered:

Pitchers and catchers report.

The Boston Red Sox officially begin spring training today. Pitchers and catchers will check in at their newly built spring training home in east Fort Myers, Fla.

Official workouts begin Tuesday. The rest of the team officially comes in Thursday. Spring training games begin March 3.

What can we look for as the Red Sox ready themselves for opening day, April 5 in Detroit?

We came up with nine ideas: 

1. A NEW CULTURE with Manager Bobby Valentine is being instilled. It is telling that the original group of candidates assembled by the new general manager, Ben Cherington, was pushed aside for the biggest personality out there — Valentine. Can Valentine take hold of a team that tanked in the last month of the season? The absence of chicken and beer during games is a certainty. But a division title? 

2. DANIEL BARD wants to be a starter. Remember in 2007 when Jonathan Papelbon wanted to move from closer to starter, but then changed his mind later in March?

The Bard case is different. Unlike Papelbon, Bard was a starter in college. His move to reliever — which he showcased to Portland fans in 2008 — came about in part because of a disastrous professional debut in 2007 (78 walks in 75 innings).

Bard appears on track. Only time, along with an improved change-up, increased stamina and consistent command, will tell. 

3. SHORTSTOP JOSE IGLESIAS appears destined to begin the season in Pawtucket, unless he can overly impress Valentine and Cherington. To do that, Iglesias’ glove will have to continue to draw oohs and aahs, while he puts together a string of quality at-bats.

If Iglesias is out of the mix, two players thought to be utility-types — Mike Aviles and Nick Punto — will contend for the job. 

4. A FIFTH STARTER needs to emerge. Assuming Bard becomes No. 4, the candidates for the final rotation spot are a group of question marks — Alfredo Aceves, Aaron Cook, Felix Doubront, Andrew Miller, Ross Ohlendorf, Vincente Padilla and Carlos Silva. 

5. WHAT WILL BOSTON do without J.D. Drew? The cynics will have a field day with that question, but the fact remains that Boston needs a right fielder. Josh Reddick has been traded, and Ryan Kalish is still recovering from shoulder surgery.

The answer seems to come in two parts — right-hand-hitter Cody Ross and left-handed hitter Ryan Sweeney. Both could be starting while left fielder Carl Crawford recovers from wrist surgery. 

6. A BULLPEN MAKEOVER is apparent, and was needed. Last spring, Boston was confident with Papelbon, Bard, Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler. An injured Jenks and ineffective Wheeler did not help. Wheeler is gone, and anything from Jenks this year, after another back surgery, would be surprising.

Boston traded for Andrew Bailey to be the closer and Mark Melancon for the chief set-up role (assuming Bard stays in the rotation). Matt Albers and left-hander Franklin Morales return. Aceves will be in the pen if he doesn’t make it as a starter.

After that?

The list of candidates include Doubront, Miller, Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa. Of that group, Tazawa is the only one with a minor-league option, so he will have to be overly impressive to avoid Pawtucket. 

7. THE ROSTER features players fighting to stay in the organization. As mentioned, Albers, Bowden, Doubront, Miller and Morales are out of options, as is outfielder Darnell McDonald. 

8. THE INJURED have returned or are recovering. Kevin Youkilis (sports hernia) and Clay Buchholz (stress fracture in his back) appear mended but will be watched. Crawford will likely miss a few weeks because of his wrist. Kalish may not return until June, and that will be to Triple-A. Jenks might be cleared to pitch sometime during spring training. 

9. JASON VARITEK will not be in camp, barring an unexpected, last-minute invitation. While it seems strange without the captain, the position is expected to improve with Jarrod Saltalamacchia No. 1 and former Sea Dogs catcher Kelly Shoppach returning to the Red Sox organization as No. 2. Shoppach is one of the best, defensively, in the game.

By signing Shoppach, Boston has allowed Ryan Lavarnway to continue his development, likely with a full season in Triple-A, unless there is an injury.

All the catchers will have reported to Fort Myers today, along with the pitchers.

It’s a good day. 

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: ClearTheBases