3 Reasons to Be Optimistic for the Boston Red Sox's 2015 Season

In 2014, the Boston Red Sox finished last in the American League East with a 71-91 record.  The Red Sox revamped their roster this offseason with the intention of a strong bounce-back in 2015.  Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez and Rick Porcello highlight the list of new additions hoping to return Boston to the top of the standings.

Did the Red Sox do enough over the winter to make themselves a contender?  Here are three reasons to be optimistic about Boston's upcoming season.

The Lineup

Below is the Red Sox's projected Opening Day batting order, along with each player's 2014 stats:

1. CF Mookie Betts

52 G, .291/.368/.444, 12 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 34 R, 7 SB

2. 2B Dustin Pedroia

135 G, .278/.337/.376, 33 2B, 7 HR, 53 RBI, 72 R

3. DH David Ortiz

142 G, .263/.355/.517, 27 2B, 35 HR, 104 RBI, 59 R

4. LF Hanley Ramirez

128 G, .283/.369/.448, 35 2B, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 64 R, 14 SB

5. 3B Pablo Sandoval

157 G, .279/.324/.415, 26 2B, 16 HR, 73 RBI, 68 R

6. 1B Mike Napoli

119 G, .248/.370/.419, 20 2B, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 49 R

7. RF Shane Victorino

30 G, .268/.303/.382, 6 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R

8. SS Xander Bogaerts

144 G, .240/.297/.362, 28 2B, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 60 R

9. C Ryan Hanigan

84 G, .218/.318/.324, 9 2B, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 18 R

Boston's lineup is absolutely loaded.  ESPN's Buster Olney believes it is the best in baseball, as does Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.

Mookie Betts is poised to become a star at the top of the order.  The 22-year-old tore up Double-A and Triple-A at the beginning of last season and then proved himself to be a capable major league hitter as well. In Grapefruit League play so far, Betts is hitting .458 with a .490 on-base percentage and a .833 slugging percentage through 16 games.

After a disappointing 2014, CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam is expecting the return to form of No. 2 hitter Dustin Pedroia.  McAdam wrote the following about the 2008 American League MVP:

"

This spring, Pedroia has looked far more like himself. The ball has had better carry and, after a more normal offseason during which he could again lift weights, he's stronger than he was at anytime last season.

Few players are more competitive and Pedroia seems partly motivated to silence those who viewed last year as evidence of a career in decline. "I'm back -- you'll see,'' vowed Pedroia in January.

Bet against him at your peril.

"

Newcomers Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval join nine-time All-Star David Ortiz in the meat of the lineup. USA Today predicts cleanup hitter Ramirez will challenge Mike Trout for American League MVP, while Sandoval is fresh off a World Series performance in which he batted .429 for the champion San Francisco Giants.

Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino were instrumental to the Red Sox's offense during their title run in 2013 but can now each hit toward the back end of the order where the pressure is off.  And if Xander Bogaerts starts living up to his potential, he'll be very dangerous in the No. 8 spot as well.

Depth

In addition to its devastating lineup, Boston is also positioned to have one of the most formidable benches in the majors.  This anecdote from Brian Macpherson of the Providence Journal (via The Enterprise) perfectly illustrates the Red Sox's situation:

"

Major League Baseball requires teams to bring at least four major-league players on each road trip in spring training, a rule designed to ensure both teams field a squad worth the price of admission.

Not a single player who traveled to Charlotte Sports Park on Tuesday projects to be in Boston’s Opening Day lineup next week in Philadelphia. Almost all of those players had suited up Monday night back at JetBlue Park and weren’t asked to play in a day game following a night game.

But that didn’t mean the Red Sox were flouting the rules.

Allen Craig came to the plate more than 500 times last season, split between St. Louis and Boston. Brock Holt came up just short of 500 plate appearances, and Daniel Nava and Jackie Bradley Jr. both recorded more than 400. Add to that Rusney Castillo, an intriguing young talent who certainly would be on the major-league roster if not for a logjam in front of him, and the Red Sox had five hitters worthy of a major-league lineup.

"

Before losing the starting right fielder job to Victorino, Cuban import Castillo was expected to be one of the leading candidates for AL Rookie of the Year.  Considering the Red Sox spent $72.5 million on him last summer, it's hard to believe the 27-year-old won't get his fair share of at-bats.

Craig was an All-Star for the St. Louis Cardinals just two years ago, even serving as the club's No. 4 hitter in its World Series loss to Boston.  Before last season, he was a .306 career batter who averaged 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 2012 and 2013.

Bradley Jr. led all big league center fielders in assists a year ago with 13.  He's also batting .378 in 18 games this spring but is on track to begin the year in Triple-A.

For much of 2014, Holt was likely the Red Sox's MVP.  He hit leadoff for 93 games and batted .327 through mid-July.  Holt also played every position besides pitcher and catcher, making him the ideal all-purpose utility man for this season's squad.

Boston's depth extends to Triple-A as well.  Christian Vazquez is out for the year with Tommy John surgery, but MLB.com Prospect Watch's No. 1 overall catcher Blake Swihart is ready and waiting if necessary. Talented young pitchers Henry Owens, Matt Barnes and Brian Johnson are also available should the Red Sox need additional arms.

Recent History

After posting 14 consecutive winning seasons from 1998-2011, in 2012 Boston finished in last place with a 69-93 record.  The follow year the Red Sox went 97-65 and won their third World Series in a decade.  Last season Boston fell back to the AL East basement, at 71-91.

It only stands to reason the Sox will again rebound and become champions, right?

All kidding aside, the franchise's poor 2014 finish is an actual reason to be optimistic this year.  Boston's ownership and management are accustomed to success and will not be eager to accept another subpar season in 2015.  Should the suspect starting rotation falter, the Red Sox are likely to pursue a deal for a No. 1 guy—the Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels comes to mind.

Boston's depth, both on the major league and minor league level, could prove extremely useful on the trade market.  The Red Sox have enough assets that they can mold this team into a contender, even if it doesn't appear to be in the early goings.  And in the wake of last year, it's a good bet to assume they'll do their best to make that happen.

Mark Vandeusen is a Featured Columnist covering the Boston Red Sox for Bleacher Report.  Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan. Unless otherwise noted, all statistics via RedSox.com and contract information via Spotrac.com.