With the winter meetings under way and the dust settled on the first blockbuster deal of the offseason, it is time to look at who are going to be the keys for the Red Sox to be the last team sipping champagne.
Some say another bat, such as a superstar like Carl Crawford or a role player like Josh Willingham, is necessary to be the World Series favorites (assuming the Yankees sign Cliff Lee).
Some say go after Cliff Lee because of his postseason resume and the fact he would look HORRIBLE in pinstripes.
Others (a very smart group of others) think the bullpen is the biggest issue.
Regardless of what you think the following players are who will determine how realistic Boston’s post-season dreams really are in 2011.