FORT MYERS, Fla (CBS) – The Boston Red Sox are hoping to start "a new chapter" as the 2012 season gets underway.

Speaking with reporters from the team's Spring Training facilities in Fort Myers, Florida, owners John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner are all set on putting 2011 in the past, and focusing on the present.

Lucchino said the team is motivated, and "has something to prove in 2012."

Lucchino and Werner addressed the Sox prior to their meeting with the media, which is customary before the team takes the field for their first full-squad workout.

"We talked about how proud we are to be involved in this organization," Werner said. "They should feel proud. We have great fans. This is going to be a new chapter. We didn't spend too much time talking about 2011. It's a new chapter… I certainly think our players are motivated to play postseason baseball.

The Red Sox payroll, and how the ownership has spent their money the past few winters, was a hot topic as the team prepared for Spring Training. On Saturday the Red Sox brass had a chance to comment on their spending, and was adamant that they did not pinch pennies this offseason.

"The discussion seems to be centered on 'We're not spending money.' We have the second-highest payroll in baseball," Henry said, adding the team has spent plenty over the last few seasons. "If pre-existing contracts get you to a certain point, it's hard to go beyond a certain point. Every year, we have a budget, and every year we go over our budget. Are we prepared to go over budget? Yes, if the right situation presents itself."

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While the Red Sox spent a hefty amount on Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford last winter, they were quiet this year. They signed David Ortiz to a one-year deal, and spent roughly $7 million on both closer Andrew Baily and Cody Ross. The team added some other parts at bargain prices, in short stop Nick Punto and reliever Mark Melancon, who was acquired via trade.

But because they were frugal this winter does not mean the team is done spending for this season, as long as the right move comes along.

"We're not done. In terms of 2012, it's only February. We're not done," added  Lucchino.

"Maybe we should be direct about this: Our payroll is going to be in the $190-plus million range. I'm pretty confident in saying that if you look at it the way we do, you'll see that. That's a gigantically large commitment because there's a gigantically large commitment to winning in this organization. If we haven't proven that to you in 10 years, shame on us," said Lucchino.

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So does that mean there are not any budget restraints for first-year GM Ben Cherington? Henry joked there isn't, but Larry Lucchino was quick to squash that notion.

"Like all of us, he works with some payroll guidelines," Lucchino said of Cherington.

"It's an advantage to have a big payroll with a small-market mentality," said Henry. "So I think we have to be more careful about how we spend our money, so we will be.''

However, that does not mean it will inhibit the team from making a move mid-season, or sooner, if it is needed.

"We have said that to the team every year when we met with them. That is always our attitude," Lucchino said. "There's a payroll you have in the offseason, there's a payroll you have as the season goes forward, there's a midseason payroll adjustment that happens if there's an opportunity July 31, and then there's the final payroll. There are a lot of different payrolls. To suggest that it's static, it is where it is now, is just an erroneous way of looking at it."