Boston Red Sox: 7 Bold Predictions for the 2012 Season

The Red Sox will be coming off one of the worst collapses in baseball history when they get underway in 2012.

The team needs to make major decisions this offseason regarding the roster and their open managerial position. Also, rumors of drinking in the clubhouse and a lack of effort by many players has given the city a negative perception of their team.

However, the Red Sox still have a very talented roster and they have the capability of doing big things next season. The 2012 season should be an interesting one for the Sox and the team's performance will be under much scrutiny.

Prediction No. 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka Will Play a Large Role in the Team's Success

Last season, the most glaring weakness of the Red Sox team down the stretch was their lack of pitching depth. They lost key pitchers such as Clay Buchholz due to injury, and were forced to have unproven players, like Kyle Weiland, pitch for them in critical games.

Daisuke Matsuzaka missed most of the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. No one thought that his absence would hit the team as hard as it did. When healthy, Daisuke added depth to a rotation that, before this year's season finale, contemplated trading for Bruce Chen to pitch them into the playoffs.

With there being a lack of pitching depth in this year's free agent class, the Sox would be wise to hold on to Matsuzaka. He will most likely be the team's four or five starter and, as evidenced by this year, every starter is important.

Prediction No. 2: Carl Crawford Will Have a Bounce Back Season

Carl Crawford had a disastrous 2011 season. He didn't hit for average, he didn't hit for power, he didn't get on base and he didn't steal a lot of bases. By the end of the season, Red Sox fans had completely given up on the left fielder.

After signing a lucrative deal with the Sox, Crawford had immense expectations coming in to the 2011 season. He also struggled with injuries during the season, and was constantly moved around the lineup because Dustin Pedroia occupied the No. 2 spot in the order, where Crawford had hit for the majority of his career.

I believe, if Crawford can avoid injuries and if the team can find a spot for him in the order, he will be poised to bounce back next season. Throughout his career, Crawford has been praised for his work ethic, and I think the lessened expectations fans have for him in 2012 will take some of the pressure off and allow him to play with less urgency.

Prediction No. 3: Jacoby Ellsbury Will Take a Step Back

Jacoby Ellsbury had an unbelievable season this year.

Red Sox fans knew, when healthy, Ellsbury could steal bases and be a solid contact hitter, but no one expected him to hit 30 home runs. Ellsbury was debatably the best player in baseball in 2011.

I find it hard to believe Ellsbury can duplicate what he did this year. He had one of the best seasons a leadoff hitter has ever had, and he stayed healthy for the entire season. Ellsbury's reckless style of play makes it hard to believe he will go two consecutive seasons without injury.

Ellsbury missed most of the 2010 season so many American league pitchers hadn't faced him in two years. Ellsbury will still be a very good player next season, but I don't think he will be on par with what he did last season.

Prediction No. 4: The Sox Won't Make Any Big Splashes This Offseason

Over the past decade, the Red Sox have been known for making big splashes in free agency and through trades. They have signed or traded for high profile players such as Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and, most recently, Adrian Gonzalez.

The Red Sox do have needs at numerous positions. They need depth in their starting rotation and they may need a new right fielder depending on their confidence in Josh Reddick.

However, with the lack of pitching depth in this year's free agent class, I find it hard to see the team making any major splashes. C.J. Wilson is the best pitcher out there, but he is most likely going to get more money than he's worth.

The only big position players out there are Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. They both play first base, a position that the Red Sox are already set at with Adrian Gonzalez, who is signed for the foreseeable future. Unlike in recent years, the Sox will most likely stay away from making any big moves this offseason.

Prediction No. 5: The Sox Pitching Staff Will Be a Strength for the Team

Many believe the Red Sox pitching staff was the reason for their September collapse in 2011. John Lackey had a horrendous season, and staff aces Josh Beckett and Jon Lester struggled down the stretch.

Clay Buchholz will return to the rotation next season, which should provide a huge spark. Lester and Beckett are both coming off solid seasons, and they will both be highly motivated to prove their doubters wrong.

John Lackey, who had the worst ERA of any starting pitcher in baseball in 2011, will miss the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. This will actually help the rotation, because the team will replace Lackey by signing a more reliable veteran starter.

The dedication of the entire pitching staff has been questioned, and I believe this will propel the starters to work extremely hard this offseason. Beckett, Lester and Buchholz are all very talented pitchers and if they perform to their abilities, they should all be in store for a good season in 2012.

Prediction No. 6: Jon Lester Will Win the AL Cy Young Award

Jon Lester has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last four years. Over this time, Lester has won 76 games and has posted an ERA of under 3.50 in all four seasons.

Many predicted Lester would be in contention for the AL Cy Young award in 2011. Though Lester was never in contention for the award, he put up another solid statistical season in 2011, winning 15 games while boasting an ERA of 3.47.

For the first time in his career, Lester is facing scrutiny from the fans of Boston. He was named as one of the Red Sox players who participated in drinking in the clubhouse during games.

This offseason, I believe Lester will be motivated like never before to prove he is still an elite pitcher. The motivation Lester will have this season combined with his enormous talent will result in a huge 2012 season for the Sox ace.

Prediction No. 7: The Red Sox Will Make It to the World Series in 2012

Coming into the 2011 season, the Red Sox were the almost unanimous pick to represent the American League in the World Series.

Going into September, the Sox had the best record in the American League and seemed destined to make a deep playoff run. We all know what happened next: A historic September collapse wiped away all dreams of the team raising another championship banner.

The Sox were preseason favorites last year because of the immense talent on their roster. Much of this same roster will be back for the team next season. They still have one of the league's most feared lineups and a pitching rotation without a lot to prove.

Clay Buchholz, who won 17 games in 2010, will be healthy next season which should provide a huge boost to the team's pitching staff. I believe last season's collapse will serve as motivation for this team and propel them to a World Series appearance.