Boston Red Sox
 

With the signing of Manny Ramirez last winter, it seemed like the Red Sox finally had a team in place that would challenge the Yankees for AL East supremacy.  Injuries to SS Nomar Garciaparra, C Jason Varitek and RHSP Pedro Martinez, left the Red Sox Nation wondering what else could go wrong.  This winter began with a controversial bidding war over the sale of the team, which culminated in a record purchase by a partnership that included two former owners.  If, as the owners tried to demonstrate before Congress, baseball is so unprofitable, why are so many people, especially former owners, clamoring to get back in?  The sale of the team didn't stop GM Dan Duquette from trying to improve the team.  However, he won't get to enjoy the fruits of his labor as he was fired almost immediately after the new ownership took over.
 

Hitting

The Red Sox were 7th in the AL in run scoring last year, a mark that should improve with the additions of CF Johnny Damon and 1B/DH Tony Clark.  Damon is not the on-base machine the A's were hoping for when they traded for him in 2000, but he is a quality hitter with decent power and surprising speed.  Some have suggested that his down year was due to his inability or reluctance (depending on who you ask) to adopt the "take-first" hitting mentality the A's employ.  Damon is aggressive at the plate and the Red Sox have shown no history of dissuading players from that philosophy.

Last year, Clark showed flashes of the form that made him one of the AL's most promising hitters just 2 years ago.  Before injuries slowed his 2001 campaign in August, Clark was on pace to hit 33 doubles, 22 homers and drive in 90 on a team that played in the one of the toughest pitcher's parks in baseball.  Fenway should be considerably more forgiving.  And a more prolific Red Sox line-up should provide more opportunities.

The Red Sox also added the ageless OF Rickey Henderson to the roster.  Most people point to the low batting average and his age (43) and say he's got nothing left.  However, he posted the 6th best on base percentage for a lead-off hitter last year playing in a park noted for suppressing offensive numbers.  Given that his legs still appear to be in good shape - he stole 25 bases in 32 chances last year - Henderson might end up as the best pick-up the Sox made this offseason.

For the Sox to contend, they'll need healthy years from Garciaparra, Varitek, and 2B/DH Jose Offerman.  Garciaparra's recovery from wrist surgery looks promising this spring.  While his power might not be fully recovered, the other aspects of his game should be.  Varitek was more of a question mark entering the spring as there were rumors that his elbow injury was much more serious than was originally thought.  However, he doesn't seem to be showing any ill-effects so far, so as long s he can avoid the injuries that sometimes accompany his all-out style of play, he should return to being one of the more offensively productive backstops in the league.  Offerman's troubles with hamstring and knee injuries affected his play the past 2 years.  Oft-injured 2B Quilvio Veras was signed this offseason to push Offerman at 2nd.  The Red Sox just hope that if both continue to struggle with injuries, that they aren't injured at the same time.

They'll also need continued improvement by OF Trot Nixon, who blossomed into a pretty productive hitter once he was given a full-time opportunity.

OF/DH Manny Ramirez is the engine that makes this offense go.  A bruised hand and clubhouse in-fighting slowed his finish to the 2001 season, but there's no debate he's one of the most prolific hitters in baseball.

Third base is still a sore spot in the Sox line-up.  Shea Hillenbrand provided some power out of the position last year, but his inability to draw walks left the Sox with the 3rd worst on base percentage for third baseman.  Once-promising Wilton Veras may get another shot at the position, but has yet to show any more production than Hillenbrand.

The Red Sox farm system doesn't have a lot ot offer in the way of immediate help, but 1B/OF Dernell Stetson, Cuban emigre 1B Juan Diaz and Orioles cast-off 1B Calvin Pickering add some depth at first and DH.
Rating: 65
 

Pitching

For the past 4 years, the Red Sox pitching has depended heavily on SP Pedro Martinez and a cast of reclamation projects and rehabs.  This year will be the first in which the Red Sox field 3 quality starting pitchers who aren't held together with baling wire and duct tape. Unfortunately none of those guys are pitchers they signed this offseason.  Neither Derek Lowe or Juan Pena was in the starting rotation last year.  Lowe was in the bullpen and Pena was on the DL.  By the end of this season, they, along with Pedro, will give the BoSox the intimidating front 3 that every team wants going into the playoffs.

SP Frank Castillo is a solid bottom of the rotation pitcher, who occasionally offers a great performance.  New acquisitions Dustin Hermanson and John Burkett add depth to the rotation.  Both of the new guys have had decent seasons in recent years, but more often than not have been less than stellar. Burkett is coming off a career best year in every category but wins.  However, at 37, he's not likely to extend that performance much longer.

With Lowe moved into the rotation, Ugueth Urbina cements his role as the team's closer.  Urbina was spectacular after his mid-season trade from the Expos and is near to reaching his enormous potential as a dominant reliever.  He's supported by a very strong relief corps from both the left and right side.  Rich Garces, Tim Wakefield, Casey Fossum and Rolando Arrojo give the Sox tremendous quality, depth and flexibility.
Rating: 65
 

Defense

As well as the Sox have matched with the Yankees the past 5 years on offense and pitching, it has been their defense that has been the difference.  Other than Garciaparra and Varitek, the Sox haven't had any stand out defenders and more than their share of subpar glovemen.  With the additions of Damon and Veras, the Red Sox have good defense up the middle and a very tall and agile target at first (Clark) to field errant infield throws.  This could be the best Sox defensive team since, well, ever.
Rating: 65
 

Management

With new ownership and new management, there are too many intangibles to predict the competence or lack thereof.  However, new GM Mike Port does have a track record as a GM, as does advisor Doug Melvin.  Melvin did a particularly good job developing hitting talent for the Rangers, so perhaps that is good news for a barren Red Sox farm system.  Port's record is mixed in his years in Anaheim, but his situation there was a little more hamstrung than the wide berth he'll be given in Boston.  One thing is certain: he'll have more money to play with than he had there, especially if ownership does a more effective job marketing the club than the previous regime.  As it stands now, 3rd base coach Mike Cubbage will manage the team, but that will only last until the Red Sox can enlist either veteran manager Felipe Alou (15% likely) or highly regarded coaches Grady Little (45%) or Kevin Macha (40%).  Little was a very successful minor league manager in the Braves system in the early 90s, when he had players like Chipper Jones, Ryan Klesko and Javy Lopez under his wing.  He knows how to handle good talent and thanks to ex-GM and New England talk radio pariah Dan Duquette, he'll have some.