2009 AL East preview: First place - Boston Red Sox

by Mark Fuery

In 2008 the Boston Red Sox fell just one game short of their second straight World Series appearance. In 2009 the Red Sox will be among the favorites to get back into the fall classic.

The Sox looked to add free agent Mark Teixeira to give the lineup an extra boost, but over the final few days they were outbid by the rival New York Yankees. As a result, the Sox took a different route and pursued some more cost efficient players to fill some of their holes.

When it was all said and done the Red Sox looked primed for another run at a title.

Starting Rotation: Boston has one of the best rotations in baseball. They are led by playoff hero Josh Beckett, who has proven in past years that he can be an ace if healthy. However, that has proven to be a big “if,” as Beckett has missed his share of starts over the years, including last year when he was limited to 174.1 innings. In his seven full seasons, Beckett has only topped 200 innings twice, which could be a cause for concern for the Red Sox.

The man in the second spot may end up being considered the team’s true ace by season’s end. Jon Lester had a phenomenal season in 2008 when he went 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA. He will look to build on that performance this season, and at age 25, he will have plenty of time to improve. With one full season behind him Lester will have a good chance to step up and win 20 games in 2009.

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Division Rival Preview: Boston Red Sox

By Travis G

While the Red Sox did not make any wallet-busting moves this offseason, it's hard to argue that this team is worse than its 2008 version - with or without Manny Ramirez.

The Sox avoided some big contracts (you know the guy named Mark Teixeira? Sox were interested in him, I guess) and instead took some gambles this offseason. They signed future Hall of Famer John Smoltz to an incentive-laden contract while also nabbing talented stars like Rocco Baldelli and Brad Penny. None of these guys are groundbreaking signings, but they are pieces to a puzzle the Sox needed to fill.

The Sox lineup looks solid, with no major changes from 2008. Jason Varitek should still man behind the plate (after a very lengthy contract dispute over the offseason), while '08 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia starts at second and Kevin Youkilis, who placed 3rd in MVP voting, at first base. A healthy David Ortiz will DH with Mike Lowell at third. The only question in the infield is shortstop: will it go to the young-buck Jed Lowrie who filled in admirably for Julio Lugo with a bad wrist, or Lugo, the overpaid veteran with a lot to prove?

The outfield is a replica of the second half of 2008, minus Coco Crisp, who was traded to the Royals this offseason. Jason Bay will start in left, Jacoby Ellsbury will be the full-time center fielder and oft-injured (yet clutch) J.D. Drew will be in right field again.

The only new face in the starting rotation is expected to be Penny, who should slot into the No. 4 or 5 spot near Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Smoltz, who won't be ready until May or June, will most likely see some time in the rotation as well.

The bullpen, however, has had a facelift. Arguably the best closer in baseball, Jonathan Papelbon, returns with setup men Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen, but they have a couple new faces to join them in the ‘pen. Takashi Saito was signed to help in the 7th and 8th innings and the Sox received Ramon Ramirez in the Crisp deal, who should also see late-inning work. Justin Masterson should also be a fulltime name in the bullpen.