Boston Red Sox owners John Henry, left, and Tom Werner face reporters yesterday at the team’s minor-league training complex, in Fort Myers, Fla.

AP / WINSLOW TOWNSON

FORT MYERS, Fla. — John Henry, wearing his customary light shirt and sporting a yellow straw hat to ward off the hot sun, got an up-close-and-personal look at his $103.1-million investment, Japanese import Daisuke Matzusaka.

Henry, the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, stood on the side of the bullpen area where Matzusaka was throwing his second bullpen session of the spring. Joining Henry was Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, general manager Theo Epstein and assistant general manager Jed Hoyer.

Henry and Werner liked what they saw, and later fielded several questions from the media after their first day in camp.

While Matsuzaka’s presence was a focal point of the news conference with the American media, Henry and Werner also talked about their hopes for the season and touched on several other topics.

A short time later, CEO Larry Lucchino, joined Henry and Werner for a news conference in the Japanese media’s tent where, not surprisingly, the only focus in the line of questioning dealt with Matsuzaka.

For the record, Henry put his stamp of approval on this year’s Red Sox, who will be trying to erase the sting of last year’s disappointing third-place finish, which left Boston on the outside looking in during the postseason for the first time since 2002.

“I think this team is much improved from last year,” said Henry.

To some degree, the fact the Red Sox plummeted out of the race early in September and continued sinking like a stone as the month continued, helped the team formulate its offseason game plan earlier than normal, Henry said.

“By the middle of September we were playing essentially meaningless games,” said Henry. “We were able to address the question of how to improve the team so we could make sure that doesn’t happen again. That was something you want to avoid at all costs, so we started devising our game plan early.

“Our number-one goal to acquire was Matsuzaka-san,” said Henry. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy and it was fraught with peril [but a successful quest]. And we wanted to back up our number-four hitter [Manny Ramirez] and have some strength throughout the lineup.”

Signing free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew addressed that second goal, said Henry.

Henry also was asked about Ramirez, who has said through teammate Julian Tavarez that he won’t arrive in camp until March 1, one week after tomorrow’s first full-squad workout.

The owner was not the least bit perturbed that Ramirez, who hit .321 with 35 homers and 102 RBI, would report later than everyone else, though March 1 is the final mandatory reporting date under the union contract.

“He’s a pretty consistent hitter. It’s OK to put up with 30 homers a year, 100 RBI a year. We know Manny is Manny. I know he’s ready to play this year. That’s what’s important,” said Henry.

Henry and Werner joked when asked who the Sox closer might be this year, acting like a veteran comedy team. Boston hasn’t officially settled on a closer, though a few days ago pitching coach John Farrell said Mike Timlin, Tavarez, Brendan Donnelly and Joel Pineiro would be the candidates.

“We do have one,” said Werner with a smile.

“No closer’s been announced?” said Henry in his dry, seemingly tongue-in-cheek tone.

While the closer’s identity may be a mystery right now, it is no secret that Daisuke Matsuzaka is the center of attention in this camp. With all the hype, the perception from the fans and media seems to be that if the right-hander doesn’t win 20 games he won’t be living up to the Sox’ investment of a 6-year, $52-million contract after a posting fee of $51.1 million paid to the Seibu Lions to come to a contract agreement with Matzusaka.

Hold on, said Henry, Werner and Lucchino yesterday.

“I feel he has tremendous poise. He won’t be distracted through everything that goes on. But we play in the American League East. It’s the toughest league in baseball. It’s not an easy task to win. It wasn’t easy for Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens. He will have adjustments to make. If the expectations aren’t higher than they should be, it should be exciting. I can’t wait to see it,” said Henry.

“He’s only a rookie. He’s only 26,” added Werner. “I saw where Jason Varitek wanted him to take [the catcher’s] equipment bag. That’s appropriate for a rookie. I wouldn’t want to see too much pressure placed on his first few starts in April.”

“We’re excited but we are patient,” said Lucchino. “We’re trying to become, if it’s not impolite, more Japanese, taking a perspective that’s more long-term than short-term. We understand there will be a transition. The [Matsuzaka] contract is for six years.”

Lucchino was addressing the Japanese media, which had one more question for the trio of Red Sox executives.

“How many wins?”

The questioner wanted a prediction of wins the Sox are expecting from Matzusaka. Henry, though, wasn’t biting, opting for a more global team-focused answer to the question.

“We expect 100 wins,” said Henry, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

Henry paused for effect.

“Hopefully, he [Matsuzaka] will get half. I think he can relieve as well,” joked Henry.

Who gets the wins, though, isn’t as important to ownership as just winning the games.

“Our goal every year is to make the playoffs,” said Werner.

“Once you get in, anything can happen,” said Henry.

Last year, the Red Sox did not get in. This, though, is a new year, and Henry was basking in the sunshine and the optimism that this time of year brings to each major-league camp.

“It’s great to be back,” said Henry.

skrasner@projo.com