2009 MLB Preview - Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox
Manager: Terry Francona (6th season)
2008 Record: 95-67 (2nd AL East)
Postseason: ALDS win over LAA 3-1, ALCS loss to TB 4-3

Added: C Josh Bard (SD), OF Rocco Baldelli (TB), OF Brad Wilkerson (TEX), SP John Smoltz (ATL), SP Brad Penny, RP Takashi Saito (LAD), RP Ramon Martinez (KC)
Lost: C David Ross (ATL), IF Alex Cora (NYM), OF Coco Crisp (KC)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.280, 98 R, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 50 SB) 2. 2B Dustin Pedroia (.326, 118 R,17 HR, 83 RBI) 3. DH David Ortiz (.264, 74 R, 23 HR, 89 RBI) 4. 1B Kevin Youkilis (.312, 91 R, 29 HR, 115 RBI) 5. RF J.D. Drew (.280, 79 R, 19 HR, 64 RBI) 6. LF Jason Bay (.270, 61 R, 9 HR, 57 RBI) 7. 3B Mike Lowell (.274, 58 R, 17 HR, 73 RBI) 8. C Jason Varitek (.220, 37 R, 13 HR, 43 RBI) 9. SS Jed Lowrie (.258, 34 R, 2 HR, 46 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Josh Beckett (12-10, 4.03 ERA, 172 K) 2. Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 ERA, 152 K) 3. Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 ERA, 154 K) 4. Brad Penny (6-9, 6.27 ERA, 54 K) 5. Tim Wakefield (10-11, 4.13 ERA, 117 K)

NOTE: John Smoltz will return in midseason due to injury

Bench
C Josh Bard, IF Julio Lugo, OF Rocco Baldelli, OF Mark Kotsay, OF Brad Wilkerson

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Johnathan Papelbon (41 SV, 69.1 IP, 58 H, 77 K, 2.34 ERA), Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Justin Masterson, Takashi Saito, Javier Lopez, Ramon Ramirez

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Fantasy Studs: 2B Dustin Pedroia, 1B Kevin Youkilis, SP Josh Beckett, SP Jon Lester, SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, RP Johnathan Papelbon
Fantasy Sleepers: It's the Red Sox. Everyone is good.

Men In The Minors: 1B Lars Anderson, OF Josh Reddick, SP Michael Bowden, RP Dan Bard

Home Ballpark: Fenway Park (Grade 8/10)

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Team Outlook: Yet again, the Red Sox are set up to make a run at not only the division title or league title, but the World Series title. The lineup looks great from top to bottom and will be a force to be reckoned with every night. The bench could be deeper in the infield but in the outfield, the Rocco Baldelli signing is a good one for insurance. The starting pitching looks good up until the 4th and 5th starter. Brad Penny is coming off a horrible season and Tim Wakefield is well, Tim Wakefield. But that may not matter because when those two struggle, the bullpen will pick up the slack. No doubt, the Red Sox on paper have the best bullpen in the AL, headlined by maybe the best closer in baseball in Johnathan Papelbon. Last year, they didn't win the division or the pennant. This year, they have the personnel to do it. Now it's all down to execution.

Next Preview: Chicago Cubs