Boston Red Sox: 3 Major Problems Entering February

February has officially arrived and we are only two months away from opening day in the MLB. 

The Red Sox have made some moves this offseason, but they haven't done enough to ensure that they will be ready when they face the Detroit Tigers on April 5.

Here are the three main problem areas that Boston needs to focus on leading up to the first game of 2012.

Right Field

The Red Sox have hit a wall in right field. 

They let J.D. Drew walk (which was the right move) and then traded away Josh Reddick for Andrew Bailey to ensure that Boston had a closer in 2012.

So Ryan Kalish was next in line, right?

Well Kalish got surgery and won't be ready come opening day. The Red Sox have gone on to pick up Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross, who can split time with Darnell McDonald in the outfield. 

While trying to figure out which of these three will get the most playing time in right, it is important to note that Carl Crawford also won't be ready at the start of 2012. 

Boston only has Jacoby Ellsbury solidified in center, and Bobby Valentine is going to have a tough time figuring out which combination of Sweeney, Ross and McDonald will be playing the corner outfielder spots to start the season.

Playing these players at the right time is going to be crucial for the beginning of this season.

Shortstop

There was a point in this offseason that the Red Sox had both Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie ready to start at shortstop in 2012.

Then both were traded and we were left with Mike Aviles and the young Jose Iglesias to man the position.

The Sox have since added Nick Punto for more infield depth but the question still remains, who will start at shortstop on opening day? 

Like right field, we could see a platoon of different shortstops this season in Boston as none of these three are quality everyday players. Iglesias could be, but his offensive skills haven't proven worthy of the big leagues quite yet.

Iglesias could win the job with his gold glove caliber fielding, but he will also have to prove his worth in spring training when he is at the plate.

Shortstop is a real question mark for Boston right now.

Back End of the Rotation

Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. These three represent the top three pitchers in Boston's starting rotation and are the only three who will definitely be in the rotation this season as of now.

But who will fill out the remaining two spots?

There has been talk about adding both Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves to the rotation, but I can only see this hurting the Red Sox. Bard was a great setup man in 2011, and Aceves was arguably Boston's best reliever with his great work in long relief.

Therefore, the Red Sox need to go find at least one starting pitcher to add to the rotation. Boston has reportedly offered deals to both Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson, either of which would be a perfect fit in the four spot of the rotation.

If the Sox are able to acquire either of them or another pitcher of similar caliber like Gavin Floyd, there would only be the number five spot in the rotation remaining to be filled.

From there the Red Sox could have the likes of Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront or newly acquires veterans Vicente Padilla and Aaron Cook compete for the position in spring training. Youngster Alex Wilson could also be put into consideration, but he could use another year in the minors.

In any case, the Red Sox need to avoid taking apart a bullpen which has already swapped closers this offseason, and they need to look to acquire at least one more proven starting pitcher. Then they can have a competition in spring training for the fifth spot.

There is serious work to be done in the starting rotation yet this offseason and then maybe, maybe Boston will be ready come opening day.