Boston Red Sox: Questions Linger for the Defending Champs

Why is Doug Mirabelli still around?
Okay, so Mirabelli's still around because no one else in the world can catch a knuckleball.  So maybe the question should be is Tim Wakefield good enough to warrant two roster spots?

Mirabelli has 85 hits in the past three seasons (89 if you count his month in San Diego).  While 33 of those hits have gone for extra bases, that's not the same Mirabelli who was good enough as a backup to get traded for a starting 2B back in 2006.   Mirabelli is going to need to produce at the plate, or Wakefield is going to need to morph into Cy Young for the Sox to justify bringing him back.

Was Mike Lowell worth it?
Mike Lowell won the World Series MVP in 2007.  He then re-signed as a free agent with the Red Sox for three years, $37.5 million.  Two other third basemen were on the market that Red Sox did not acquire: Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera.

Can JD Drew bounce back?
2007 was one of the worst years in David Jonathan Drew's career. Hopefully for the Red Sox, he just needed a year to adjust to Fenway Park and American League pitching.  If Drew can get back to his career averages of .284/25/84, then he'll be a welcome addition behind Mike Lowell in the Sox' lineup. 

All signs, based on the end of the '07 season, point to a productive year for Drew.  If he's unable to return to form, then it might be a good idea for Epstein to hold on to Crisp.

And what's with Schilling's shoulder? 
Curt Schilling's injured right shoulder will not be going under a surgeon's knife any time soon, if the Red Sox have anything to say about it.  He's already taken a cortisone shot and begun rehab, which the Sox hope will allow him to return by July.  More importantly than Schilling actually playing, however, is the potential media circus that this could become.  There have been rumors of the Sox wanting to void his contract if he does not play this year.  Schilling is no stranger to the media, and if this gets ugly, it could become a major distraction for the team.

Red Sox Nation is filled with confidence about the Sox chances going into 2008.  Josh Beckett is still the ace, and Cinco-Ocho is still at the back of the bullpen.  Big Papi's contagious smile is still in the dugout and Manny is still Manny. 

The team is built to repeat as champions, but 162 games will have to be played first.

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