Red Sox Season Preview

After a disappointing finish to the 2006 season, the Boston Red Sox are back with a revamped lineup and potentially another Cy Young canidate in Daisuke Matsuzaka. Epstein and the Red Sox brass loosened the purse strings with the hope of bringing another World Series Championship to the city of Boston and the Fenway Faithful. Let's hope it pays off.



Starting Pitching: What appeared to be by far the best pitching rotation in the major leagues (on paper) just two weeks ago, is now minus Jon Papelbon who has shifted back to the bullpen. Despite that, the Red Sox still enter the 2007 season with arguably the best staff in the MLB. Curt Schilling is still considered the ace of the team and has added a changeup to his already solid arsenal of pitches. Schilling claims he is finally starting to get used to throwing the pitch and I look for him to have a better season than he had last year despite being one year older. Then there is Josh Beckett, former World Series MVP, who struggled in his first year in Boston. Beckett looks to reverse his fortunes this year and all signs in Spring Training are leading everybody to believe that he will do just that. He has apparently looked so good this spring that many writers are touting him as a dark-horse canidate for the Cy Young. The "third" pitcher for the Red Sox may very well turn out to be the best. That pitcher, of course, is Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka, whom the Red Sox paid $51 million for his rights and another $52 million over 6 years. Matsuzaka has been pretty good so far this Spring and I expect him to have a solid 1st season and win AL Rookie of the Year honors, by edging out Royals phenom Alex Gordon. Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez (for now) will round out the rest of the rotation. Wakefield had injury problems last year, but he should be his normal reliable self this season. Tavarez pitched well in the role for the Sox last season down the stretch, but should he falter, the Red Sox may take a look at Kyle Snyder or Jon Lester. The Red Sox also have Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz, and Dan Bard in the minor leagues. It is unlikely any of those players will emerge this year, but each of them have the potential to be special players.

Starting Lineup: Newcomer Julio Lugo will lead off this season and will score a boatload of runs if he stays healthy. Lugo is no Alex Gonzalez in the field, but he has solid range and his hitting ability should more than make up for his defensive downside. Kevin Youkilis will follow him and should continue his improvement. Youkilis also has an outside shot to win the gold glove at 1st base. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez will hit in their normal 3-4 spots and should continue to produce as they always have (providing good health or another trade request from Ramirez). The Red Sox struggled mightily last year in the 5-hole, which was why the J.D. Drew acquisition was deemed so important. Drew, arguably the best overall position player on the market, has a history of injuries but has stayed healthy of recent and has a clause in his contract that protects the Red Sox in the future. The electric Fenway environment might push J.D. Drew to his best season ever, or he could implode under the pressure. Lowell and Varitek will likely man the 6-7 spots. Mike Lowell had a decent season last year and was great defensively, however, there were signs that Jason Varitek might be in the twilight of his career. Varitek looks to prove those claims wrong this season, but I'm not too confident he'll be able to do so. Coco Crisp also struggled last season with a broken finger that lingered throughout. He looks to rebound this season and could realize his 20 HR, 20 SB, .300 batting average potential. How Coco plays will be key to the Red Sox season. Rookie Dustin Pedroia will play 2nd base and hit 9th. He struggled in his brief stint in the majors last year but has never hit below .300 in a full season at any level.

Bullpen: If the 2007 Boston Red Sox have a large weakness, this is it. Jon Papelbon's re-entry to the closer role does provide some stability, however the rest of the bullpen may prove to be shaky. Mike Timlin struggled last year and has been injured throughout spring training which does not bode well for his future. The Red Sox will also be trotting out Joel Pineiro, JC Romero, Brendan Donnelly, and another Japanese import (Hideki Okajima). Donnelly will most likely be the best of the bunch, but it wouldn't be incredibly surprising if that honor belonged the Hideki Okajima by season's end. The Red Sox will also start the season with Kyle Snyder and lefthander Javier Lopez in the pen. Lopez will likely be sent to AAA upon the return of Mike Timlin. Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen will spend time in minors and may spend time in Boston at some point this season. Bryan Corey will also be in Pawtucket and could get a chance as well.

Bench: The 2007 Red Sox have a decent bench, but it's no different than what it was at the end of last season. Wily Mo Pena will get some time in the outfield, Alex Cora will get time at shortstop and 2nd base. Eric Hinske will likely play some corner outfield, and corner infield when starters need a day off. Doug Mirabelli will back up Jason Varitek and catch Tim Wakefield as usual.

X-Factors: One or more of the following players returning to form would provide the Red Sox with a great boost: Mike Timlin, Jason Varitek, Coco Crisp, Josh Beckett. In my opinion, Beckett and Crisp are the most likely to step up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Varitek turns himself around slightly. Mike Timlin, on the other hand, might be cooked. He was horrible towards the end of last year and has been unhealthy during spring training.

Outside Possibility: If Coco Crisp struggles, there is an outside chance that Jacoby Ellsbury might get the call up to the big leagues by June or July with Crisp being traded for relief help. Ellsbury has the potential to be a stud in Centerfield and I get the feeling that Red Sox fans will come to love the ability to see him play baseball on an every day basis. Wily Mo Pena may also get a chance at the role if Crisp struggles. Pena could likely smack 30 homeruns if he played on an every day basis. Unfortunately for him and Sox fans, he has had trouble making contact so far in his young career. Does this sound familiar anybody?

Bottom Line: The Red Sox likely have the best pitching in the major leagues, but it won't be enough to hold off the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays will make a push as well, especially if Burnett stays healthy. With that in mind, it is my belief that the Red Sox will get the AL-wildcard and finish 2nd in the AL East with a 96-66 record. If Schilling, Beckett, and Matsuzaka prove to be as dominant as expected, I believe they will carry the Red Sox through the postseason and bring another World Series back to Boston with Papelbon closing it out and competing for a Cy Young of his own (or maybe this is just what I'm hoping for).

Starting Off: The Red Sox will begin their season against the Kansas City Royals. Curt Schilling will take on Gil Meche in the April 2nd opener. I cannot wait.