2008 Record: 95-67
Key Additions:
Brad Wilkerson (OF)
John Smoltz (P)
Rocco Baldelli (OF)
Brad Penny (P)
Ramon Ramirez (P)
Takashi Saito (P)
Key Losses:
Curt Schilling (P)
Sean Casey (1B)
David Aardsma (P)
David Pauley (P)
Kevin Cash (C)
Mike Timlin (P)
Paul Byrd (P)
Bartolo Colon (P)
Alex Cora (SS)
Projected Lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. David Ortiz DH
4. Kevin Youkilis 1B
5. Jason Bay LF
6. J.D. Drew RF
7. Mike Lowell 3B
8. Jed Lowrie SS
9. Jason Varitek C
I have my worries about this lineup. Here is what has to happen for the Sox to be a top hitting team. Ellsbury needs to finally become the real leadoff hitter, which means a high OBP, and more consistency. Without that this lineup doesn't stand a chance. Ortiz needs to be healthy, and get back to around 35 HRs. Lowell needs to be healthy and get 80+ RBIs, and of course they need something from Tek. Not a lot, but also more then him being a black hole. So basically I would be asking for .245+ BA from him. Overall I actually like a lot of this lineup. Pedroia and Youk will continue to dominate. Bay is in a contract year, so I am expect really big things from him, and when healthy DL Drew can be unstoppable (think June of last year).
Projected Rotation:
1. Josh Beckett
2. Jon Lester
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka
4. Brad Penny
5. Tim Wakefield
CL Jonathan Papelbon
Beckett is nasty every other year. Good news for the Sox is this is going to be one of those years. Lester showed last year he might be the best lefty in the AL, and I expect at least 18 wins from him this year. Dice-k lives dangerously, but in the end he wins games, and frustrates hitters. Little worried about his WBC innings pitch, but we shall see if it affects him. Penny has looked great, but I don't see him playing a whole season (that goes for the Wake too). For most teams that would be a serious problem, but with the way Buchholz has looked, and Smoltz coming back Boston may be even better if these guys do go down. What is really scary is that Boston's bullpen might be better then their starters. If Masterson stays in the pen I could see Boston having the best bullpen in the MLB.
Minors Watch:
Lars Anderson (1B) - A lot of hype around this kid, and it seemed to get to his head this spring training. He needs at least another year in the minors, but could be a nice replacement for Lowell and/or Ortiz.
Michael Bowden (P) - Good stuff and exceptional control, but he still scares me. Would like to see the Sox use him as trade bait, because he really just reminds me of another Paul Byrd, which would not be a good thing pitching at Fenway.
Josh Reddick (OF) - Does a lot of things right, and gained 15 pounds of muscle this offseason. Starting to hit for some power, but I don't see the Sox playing him a lot because he is not an OBP guy.
Overall:
The Sox will be very good this year, but they will be a lot different from years past. I don't see them putting up 6-7 runs a game, but their pitching is go good they won't need to. DP already put the Rays on top of the division with a crazy record, and though I don't agree with the # of wins I do agree that I see the Rays winning this division. The Sox will still make the playoffs, which means the Yankees will be playing golf once again in October.
Record: 98-64
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