Boston Red Sox 2009 Preview: Offense

This isn't my first 2009 preview for the Red Sox this winter, but, they've made plenty of additions since then, so I'm giving this another go. I'll be breaking down every projected starting player, and every projected bench player on the 25-man roster.

Starters

Jason Varitek: After a drawn-out negotiation process, Captain is back where he belongs. Although it is not necessarily expected, it would be a big help for the team if Varitek can get his batting average around the .240 to .260 range. However, his primary function is to handle the pitching staff, which he is still superb at even at the age of 36.

Kevin Youkilis: This guy just keeps getting better. Since becoming a starting player in 2006, Youk's batting average, home run total, and RBI total has increased every year. Youkilis finished hitting .312, with 29 homers, and 115 RBI last season, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Sox lineup. He has a great reputation as an incredibly patient hitter, which would be deadly if he could add a 30-home run season to his resume.

Dustin Pedroia: What hasn't this guy been able to do yet? In two full seasons in the Majors, Pedroia has a Rookie of the Year Award, and is currently the reigning American League Most Valuable Player. He also earned an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award in his 2008 campaign. Pedroia, a career .313 hitter, is emerging as a power and speed threat hitting second for the Sox. It should be interesting to see what he can do this time.

Jed Lowrie: Jed Lowrie, one of the Red Sox's top prospects, is currently listed as the starting shortstop Julio Lugo. Given the low skill-level of Lugo, Lowrie will have to be pretty awful to lose the shortstop gig. Lowrie is a promising hitter. In 2007, between AA and AAA, Lowrie hit .298, with 13 home runs, 70 RBI, and eight triples in 497 at-bats. In a short stint with the Red Sox in 2008, Lowrie created 100 runs (46 RBI and 34 Runs) in 81 games. Mathematically speaking, if that is doubled, Lowrie would have 92 RBI and 74 Runs playing in all 162 games. Of course, those exact numbers are unlikely, but the main point is that Lowrie is sure to be a good run-producing shortstop.

Mike Lowell: For the Red Sox to recreate the 2007 season, it is imperative for Mike Lowell to return to his 2007 form. Lowell is hoping to be ready for spring training at the moment, after a surgery this winter on his hip, which he injured in the ALCS against Tampa Bay. Lowell's 2008 numbers weren't bad, though the Red Sox would obviously love if he posted numbers similar to his '07 numbers. Lowell finished the '08 season hitting a respectable .274, with 17 home runs and 73 RBI.

Jason Bay: Bay, who had a very off-year in 2007, returned to form in 2008. He finished the year hitting .286, with 31 home runs, and 101 runs batted in. He even stole ten bases. Even better, Bay hit .293 with nine home runs for the Red Sox prior to being traded to Boston in the three-way deal involving Manny Ramirez. Despite doubts involving his inexperience, Bay turned up huge for the Red Sox in the playoffs. Between the 2008 ALDS and ALCS, Bay hit .341 with three home runs, and nine RBI. Even more impressive, Bay hit .412 in the ALDS alone.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Ellsbury, a great center fielder who brings a good stick, a good glove, and great speed to the table, is looking to live up to the hype in 2009. Ellsbury quietly broke some records this past season. On May 30, Ellsbury stole three bags, the first Red Sox with more than two thefts in a game since Jerry Remy did so in 1980. Also, Ellsbury, who stole 50 bases, became the first Red Sox to steal 50 bags in a season since Tommy Harper stole 54 in 1973. Ellsbury's 50 thefts were good for third all time in single season records in Red Sox history. To top that all off, Ellsbury finished the entire 2008 season, playing in 145 games, without committing an error.

J.D. Drew: Drew has faced many injury problems in the first two seasons of a four-year contract signed with the Red Sox. In 2007, Drew just flat out underperformed. His numbers were respectable, but below expectations. In 2008, Drew was hitting great when healthy, but only saw his way into 109 games. Most impressively, in the month of June, Drew hit .337, with 12 home runs, 27 runs batted in, and a 1.31 OPS. If Drew can stay healthy in 2009, he could finally put it all together and play like Boston has expected him to.

David Ortiz: Ortiz, who like Drew, played in only 109 games for Boston, is currently nursing a hurt wrist. He should be good to go for Spring Training. Ortiz was effective when he was healthy, and hopefully he can return to 2006 form. If Ortiz can put up another 50 home run season, Boston fans will be able to say: "Mark Teixeira, Smwark Crexeira."

Bench

Rocco Baldelli: Baldelli was the biggest offensive addition for the Red Sox this winter. He provides a very solid replacement for Coco Crisp, and also provides something I refer to as J.D. Drew Insurance--because no matter how much I futilely hope, Drew will likely become injured again in '09. Luckily, for if/when that happens, Rocco Baldelli will be able to take over and put Boston fans at ease. And yes, he is healthy. He hit .263 with four homers in 28 games when he rejoined the Rays towards the end of the 2008 seasons.

Julio Lugo: While Lugo has been thoroughly half-decent in his two-season tenure with Boston, he finally isn't starting any more. Despite collecting 45 stolen bases and arguably one and a half seasons (Lugo missed 80 games in 2008), Lugo has also hit a paltry .252 over those two seasons. In 2007 Lugo was a decent run-producer, collecting 73 RBI, but in 2008 Lugo lost any small amount of plate prowess he had, despite finishing with an average 31 points higher than the year before. Unfortunately, not only is Lugo miserable at the dish, but he plays poor defense. Hopefully he sees limited time in 2009, allowing Jed Lowrie to collect most of the playing time at short.

Mark Kotsay: Kotsay, acquired as a fifth outfielder and backup first baseman, was a solid pickup for the Sox. Kotsay joins Ellsbury, Ortiz, and Drew as the only lefties on the roster. However, Kotsay will be starting the season on the DL, bringing us to our next player...

Brad Wilkerson: Another lefty-hitting outfielder. Wilkerson showed good flashes of power in his day, once hitting 32 home runs for Montreal. However, Wilkerson's career high for RBI in a season is 77, and he is also a lousy .247 hitter. He shouldn't see a lot of playing time, but he still isn't a bad player to have around.

Josh Bard: Bard was dreadful in 2008, hitting .202 in 57 games for the Padres. He hit exactly one home run, and collected 16 RBI. Those numbers are low enough to qualify as miserable. However, he was hurt for a great part of the season, and in 2007 Bard was a good enough hitter, finishing with a .285 average, amassing five homers and 55 runs batted in. Hopefully we get the 2007 Bard, and not the 2008, because the backup catcher will see a sizable amount of time in 2009.

Overall

This Red Sox offense is one of the best in years. This group has a lot of potential to do big things and make a lot of noise in an extremely competitive American League East division. Assuming all goes well, and barring major injuries, these guys can score at least 850 runs, and could reach the 200 home run mark as well. Luckily, the Red Sox have a great pitching staff to match, but if all goes wrong for the pitching staff, this is a great offense which can bail the arms out if need be.

Up next: Red Sox 2009 Preview: Pitching