Looking Forward to 2008: Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will report to camp as the defending World Champions for the 2nd time in 4 years, and they may not be done.

The Sox finished off a 4-game sweep of the NL Champion Colorado Rockies in dominating fashion, winning their 2nd World Series Title, the other coming back in 2004.

Their pitching staff hasn't changed from last season. They re-signed Curt Schilling, alongside ace Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and young phenom Clay Buchholz. It's yet to be seen who will hold the #5 spot in the rotation, whether it be veteran Wakefield or young Buchholz. In my opinion, that's a good problem to have because they're not any less dominant one way or the other.

On the offensive side of things, the only player still yet to re-sign is 1st baseman Kevin Youkilis, both sides will go through an arbitration hearing to determine his salary for 2008. The rest of the offense won't change, led by captain Jason Varitek, 2nd baseman Dustin Pedroia, 3rd baseman Mike Lowell (signed a 3-year extension) and shortstop Julio Lugo.

The outfield remains somewhat of a question, but only to when it comes to Coco Crisp. There were trade rumors floating around about Crisp, but the Red Sox have yet to find the right deal. In the meantime, it seems they are going to go with young center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to start the 2008 season and next to him on either side are Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew...but who am I forgetting, gee who could it be....the big man, Big Papi David Ortiz. A guy you don't want to face with the game on the line, but a guy that every Red Sox fan wants at the plate in the same scenario, and I don't blame them one bit.

Here's a full list of the arrivals and departures:

Re-arrivals:
Lowell (signed to three-year deal)
Schilling (signed for one year)
Wakefield (club picked up 2008 option)
Julian Tavarez (club picked up 2008 option)
Timlin (signed for one year)

Departures:
RHP Eric Gagne (signed with Brewers as free agent)

If this team was this good last season, just think how much better they're going to be this season, especially with the Yankees not doing much of anything in the offseason, with exception to blowing $300M on Alex "October No Show" Rodriguez. Their pitching is, arguably, the best in baseball.

Prediction Time:

This is actually the first time I've seen the Red Sox go through an entire off season without a single big offseason move, but it's still early. There's still talk that they could make a deal with Minnesota for Johan Santana. If that does happen...YIKES! Beckett, Santana, Matsuzaka, Lester, Buchholz...I'm glad I'm a fan of a National League team.

Red Sox - 102-60