Red Sox 2007 Season Preview - From the Desk of the Oriole Post

Needless to say, the Boston Red Sox had a very turbulent 2006. With a rash of injuries & ailments to key players such as Jason Varitek, Tim Wakfield, Trot Nixon, Manny Ramirez, along with David Ortiz’s heart condition and Jon Lester’s lymphoma diagnosis, the Red Sox who were at the top of the division during the first half, fell out of the AL East race after the New Yankees slaughtered them in a 5 game series at Fenway Park in August. That weekend tempered with the injuries, and Manny Ramirez controversy over his injuries pretty much sent a season with high expectations into a tailspin.

As with every season with recently, the fans and the media who cover the Red Sox have placed high, if not sometimes, unrealistic expectations on their team. Red Sox Nation has gotten accustomed to seeing their team go to the playoffs for the past few seasons and continuing their never ending war with the Yankees, but sadly that was not the case in 2006. The Yankees eventually won the division handily until getting beaten by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.

With the dawn of the 2007 season approacheing, New England and Red Sox Nation are once again ready for the fever, and this winter for the team was nothing short of successful for fans of the team, in my eyes. With a fan base itching for another World Championship and unbridled love for their team, GM Theo Epstein and company are once again focused into making the Red Sox a winner.

During the offseason, the Red Sox made a huge wave going from one continent to another by signing Japanese uber-stud, Daisuke Matzsuaka, whom the team big an earth-stopping $51 million on, beating out the Yankees and Mets for his services. In addition, the Red Sox signed shortstop Julio Lugo, pitcher Joel Piniero, and probably one of the most controversial signings of the winter, J.D. Drew.

Much of the offseason for the Red Sox was shoring up the pitching rotation. Curt Schilling returns in what could possibly be his last season, as well as steady mainstay Tim Wakefield, and Josh Beckett who won 16 games, but had a propensity for giving up long balls, too many walks, had problems with his pitching and struggled his way to an ERA over 5.

The wild cards in the pitching staff are wonder kid Jonathan Papelbon and Japanese stuff, Matsuzaka. Papelbon had a breakout 2006, becoming one of the most dominant closer is the game, ending up on the All-Star team, and having an ERA well under one, until he ended up on the shelf for the rest of the year due to shoulder problems. The Red Sox are letting him go into the starting rotation where they expect him to translate the success he had as closer into a starter.

Daisuke Matuzaska is the great unknown not only to the Red Sox, but to most of most baseball. Over the life of contract, plus the right to bid for him, the Red Sox have invested over $100 million for one player, and one who’s never pitched in the majors.

Based on what I saw in the World Baseball Classic, with the experts' opinion of him being a quality starter, and if he lives up to potential, Matzusaka will be a huge star – very much godlike in Boston. If he can translate his success from Japan to the majors, he should be quite successful and should win at least 15 games, with an ERA under 4.

Another unknown with the Boston Red Sox is with their bullpen. With Papelbon in the starting rotation, for now, the closing duties have been relegated to Joel Piniero. Well, Piniero is sort of an unknown entity, as he struggled with Seattle in 2006 with an ERA over 6, and he was jettisoned from the starting rotation due to being ineffective. With the lack of relief pitching in a pricey market, Piniero was on option that the Red Sox had to take a chance on. If he does not deliver, he’ll end up being in Boston for only a short while.

The bullpen is stocked with pitching, as tenured Sox pitcher Mike Timlin returns after a so-so 2006. He’s 41, and will most likely close out games if Piniero can’t, and his age is always a concern, but is track record shows he’s been nothing but effective in the past. As well, young guns, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Devern Hansack and Kyle Synder will work out of the pen and maybe called to close games as well & throw a few innings out of the pen. The pen also has longtime veteran Julian Taverez in the fold, and don’t count out recently signed Brendan Donnelly with his hard pitching to help out the corps.

The Red Sox tried to trade for Chad Cordero to close, but for now, he’s still with the Washington Nationals.

All in all, although there are a few unknown variables in the starting rotation, on paper it looks real strong & could contend to be one the best starting corps in the game. The bullpen is the great unknown, but it has a good veteran presence and young guns who might be able to surprise and do the job.

With a batting lineup featuring David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew and a cast of others, the Red Sox are primed to be a competitive force in the AL once again. The offense can both do the little things, and as well hit power and average and it will be little surprise if the Red Sox don’t end up as one of the top run producing teams in all of baseball.

The two big additions, Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew will be expected to contribute in a big way. Well, it looks like Lugo will bat leadoff or second and based on his track record; he should do well based on his numbers in Tampa Bay. With a mix of speed, some power and a good batting average he’ll be playing everyday and will be expected to produce.

The wild card in the lineup is J.D. Drew. With longtime mainstay, Trot Nixon now with the Indians, Drew will be expected to man right field. He’ll adjust well, as he’s got the ability to hit 20-30 homers, drive in at least 90 runs and hit at least .280. The Red Sox are still trying to work out a deal with him, and his reputation is one of a player who is apathetic and is a cancer, and may crack under the pressure in Boston. For the money the team is paying him, he’ll need to produce and show he’s worth it. He’ll probably be used after Ramirez to provide adequate protection for both him and Ortiz.

If Drew produces for the team, the Red Sox will have a supremely tough lineup.

The rest of the team will stay pretty much the same, with Varitek catching, after a tough ’06. He’ll need to kick it up into high gear again and return to his solid numbers before least season.

Kevin Youkilis will probably be batting leadoff or perhaps second with Lugo in town, but he had a good on-base percentage and hit for average. They’ll need to him to stay at the same level or better and help set the table.

Of course, studs David Ortiz and Manny are set for a return. Ortiz should still be his dominant self and hit the bombs when the game is on the line, but the big question mark is Manny. We all know he can kill the ball and hit for both amazing power and average, but he is dedicated to the team? There was much issue with him missing the latter of the season with an injury, his work ethic, and doubters who thought he gave up towards the end. As well, he demanded a trade once again, but found a hard time finding a suitor who could match what the Sox wanted in return, so he’s in Boston for at least another season. Manny being a productive hitter is key for the Red Sox offensive machine to be dominant.

The other big question in the lineup is Coco Crisp. After arriving from Cleveland with a lot of fanfare, he struggled and became the ire of many Red Sox fans, and as well missed the rest of the season due to injuries. He’ll be moved down the order, but the question is the real Coco Crisp the one that produced in Cleveland, or the 2006 version? Only time will tell, and being that Boston is a hard place to play, he might be moved sooner rather than later if he doesn’t produce.

Third base will be occupied by Mike Lowell who had amazing comeback in '06 after struggling with the Marlins and coming via the Beckett trade. They’ll depend on him to keep up his pace from 2006. Second base is open with the departure of Mark Loretta, but Alex Cora and rookie Justin Pedoria should battle for playing time.

Willy Mo Pena should find some playing time with his power, but right now his plate discipline is lacking, as he strikes out too much and can be a liability in the field. He’s only a young guy, and maybe with some more playing time, he can develop into a force with the Red Sox.

After a season of spending a few bucks to strengthen the team, New England and Red Sox Nation will be waiting for the 2007 season with great anxiety and anticipation. It’s a forgone conclusion with the additions and the mainstays that the team will be competitive and Fenway will be rocking for Ortiz’s exploits and dancing when “Sweet Caroline” blazes.

Will this season get them into the playoffs and more importantly, dethrone the hated New York Yankees from supremacy in the American League East? Will the disappointment of 2006 end up in 2007 to be another 2004?

Only time will tell.