Well, we're just over nine days away from Spring Training, and Baseball Fever has struck again!
Ironically, a fever is probably the cure most Red Sox fans need after the Patriots...underperformed...on Sunday.
But what's a sports season without speculation?
Who gets better? Who gets worse?
Who really overpaid for their prized player? How many Brittany Spears references can we get out there with six divisions to review? Well, let's get to it!
Side note: In a complete steal of a marketing ploy from Sean MC, we're embarking on the longest MLB Preview ever. However, in use of his marketing ploy, I'll plug his "Longest NFL Mock Draft Ever." His most recent entry was the Kansas City Chiefs.
This week: The AL East
Boston Red Sox (96-66 in 2007, First in AL East, World Series Champions)
The Red Sox didn’t do much over the winter months. They were listed as “in the hunt” for the Twins’ former ace Johan Santana, however it seemed that the package required to land the ace was a little too rich in the “young talent” department for both the Red Sox front office, and its fans.
The Red Sox are probably better off without Santana though. The rotation boasts veterans such as Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka (although he’s a veteran in age only), and Tim Wakefield, along with young studs Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester. Throw into that a bullpen that only lost Eric Gagne from the previous season (the only thing holding them back from 100 wins, as hard as that is for me to say), and the pitching staff is one of the strongest in the AL (and let’s face it-the acquisition of Santana may have created a distorted sense of loyalty, jealous, and hurt feelings in the Sox clubhouse-something the defending World Series champs need).
As far as position players, all of your favorites are back: Manny (who’ll revert back to a mid-2000’s Manny I believe), Big Papi, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell, and Mr. Rookie-of-the-Year Dustin Pedroia. JD Drew will probably perform better than last year (although that grand slam may as well be the last one he hits in Boston because he’ll never top it), and Jacoby Ellsbury provides the team with a strong presence in centre field and the lead-off spot.
The only question with this team is at shortstop with Julio Lugo. If he can’t improve on his .237 average, the Red Sox may look elsewhere for a solution at short, or even fill the position from within using Argenis Diaz or Jed Lowrie.
2008 Record: 103-59, First in AL East
Toronto Blue Jays (83-79 in 2007, Third in AL East)
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