It’s Red Sox Rookie Development Program week and pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than a month. Seven questions as baseball’s return draws nearer: 1. Why are the Sox haggling with Jarren Duran?

After his use of a homophobic slur directed at a fan Sunday, Jarren Duran was given a two-game suspension by the Red Sox. In truth, they were left with no alternative.

This offseason, the Red Sox and the 28-year-old were unable to agree to a one-year deal before the deadline, so the two sides are headed to an arbitration hearing over $500,000. Over the weekend, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow spoke on the process and situation, which is something he's used to as a former player himself.