Gone are the familiar names that have graced the grass of Fenway Park for the last couple years.
Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis and others have either been traded or signed elsewhere. What is left is a team of aging and oft-injured veterans, as well as unproven prospects.
But this is Boston.
If there is a will, there is a way.
Key Newcomers
Joel Hanrahan, RHP (FA Pit 36 SV 2.72 ERA)
Mike Napoli, C/1B (FA Tex .227-24-56)
Jonny Gomes, OF (FA Oak .262-18-47)
Shane Victorino, OF (FA LAD .255-11-55-39SB)
Ryan Dempster, RHP (FA Tex 12-8 3.38 153K)
Stephen Drew, SS (FA Oak .223-7-28)
Key Departures
James Loney, 1B (FA TB .249-6-41)
Impact Player
Dustin Pedroia (2B) was one of the only constants during last season’s debacle.
Coming off an injury plagued 2011 season, Pedroia rebounded by hitting .290, leading the team in RBI (65) and stealing 20 bases.
Boston needs another healthy and productive year from Pedroia if they have any chance of competing in 2013.
Top Prospect
Xander Bogaerts (SS) had an excellent 2012 minor league season, batting .307-20-85 between Single and Double-A.
Expected to make his debut in 2014, Bogaerts will fit nicely with Pedroia as the future of Boston’s infield.
Projected Line-up
- Shane Victorino, RF (.255-11-55-39SB)
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B (.290-15-65-20)
- David Ortiz, DH (.318-23-60)
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (.222-25-59)
- Mike Napoli, 1B (.227-24-56)
- Will Middlebrooks, 3B (.288-15-54)
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (.271-4-26-14)
- Jonny Gomes, LF (.262-18-47)
- Stephen Drew, SS (.223-7-28)
Projected Rotation
- Ryan Dempster, RHP (12-8 3.38 153K)
- Clay Buchholz, RHP (11-8 4.56 129)
- Jon Lester, LHP (9-14 4.82 166)
- Felix Doubront, LHP (11-10 4.86 167)
- John Lackey, RHP (Did not pitch in 2012)
Closer
Joel Hanrahan, RHP (36 SV, 2.72 ERA)
The Good News
If the team can stay healthy, the pitching holds u, and the off-season acquisitions adjust quickly, the Red Sox could be surprise contenders in the AL East.
The Bad News
The team has been plagued by injuries for the last two years, and the off-season acquisitions are a group of aging veterans and has-beens.
The Reality
This once strong tower, which crumbled to the ground at the end of the 2011 season, will not be rebuilt overnight.
The offseason moves will help lay a good foundation and also provide trade bait if the season gets out of hand quickly. Provided the injury bug does not bite again, I project that the Red Sox will be as competitive as they can be in the toughest division in baseball until they finally fade away down the stretch.
Projection
79-83 No. 5 AL East
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