It might just be me but I'm very optimistic about the upcoming season for the Boston Red Sox.  I'm not a fair weather fan and have stuck with the Red Sox through thick and thin.  I believe fans should be critical of their team and shouldn't just drink the Kool Aid.  We, as fans, should question the moves our team makes, or doesn't make.

I wish the Red Sox had acquired a big bat this off-season, but, in all honesty, there wasn't one available that truly blew me away.  For those of you thinking Adrian Gonzalez was available for the taking, I'm not sure he truly was.  Jed Hoyer is not the MLB version of Kevin McHale.  I wish we had brought Jason Bay back, but I wouldn't want to sacrifice our future for him.  I'm not totally convinced Marco Scutaro is going repeat his wonderful 2009 season, but I do think he wll play great defense and be a solid offensive contributor. Mike Cameron and Jeremy Hermida have the potential to be great steals this year.  

What does have me excited is this: Ever since I first started to play baseball my father and coaches always told me pitching and defense win championships.  You have to strong defensively up the middle and you have to have a strong pitching staff.  Sprinkle in some timely hitting, solid base running and some luck, and you have a very good chance for success.

As the Red Sox are presently constructed they fit almost all of that perfectly.  All will have to proven on a daily basis and things will need to fall into place, but I think Red Sox have something.

First, the starting rotation has unlimited potential.  Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey are all potential aces.  They are innings eaters and proven playoff performers.  Beckett needs to have a quality season, so I predict he will enter this season in tip-top shape.  Lester has evolved into a filthy pitcher and should continue his rise to Cy Young caliber stud.  Lackey has question marks to me.  I'm not real thrilled by his recent injuries, but have faith that his team physical went well.  I'm also convinced that the team's shoulder program; that Papelbon, Lester and Beckett rave about, will improve his health and increase his effectiveness. 

The rotation should be completed by a combination of Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K), Clay Buchholz and/or Tim Wakefied.     Dice-K seemed in much better shape after returning from his mini-boot camp.  He looked thinner and seemed to be more aggressive in the strikezone.  Buchholz had an epiphany last year and looked really strong. I believe he will build on that success and have a great season.  Tim Wakefield is battling back issues again but is coming off his first All-Star game.  I think he will be ready to go by June and will be a real asset to the team as a utility pitcher (starting, long relief, or set-up man). 

The one job on any team that has a zero-defect mentality is relief pitcher.  A relief pitcher has to be perfect 100% of the time, or they will cause the team to lose.  With that in mind, our bullpen did a great job last year.  They are the easiest to blame, and the hardest to give credit too.  Hey, so and so only pitched to one hitter....no big deal.  All true fans know that one hitter could be the key to the game. 

The bullpen is anchored by closer Jonathan Papelbon.  Last year he continued to produce good numbers, but the eyeball test was not the same.  He labored more than usually and didn't seem nearly as sharp.  His command was shakey and he relied on his fastball way too much.  This spring I see him working on his splitter and slider, developing confidence in both and using a full arsenal of pitches in 2010.  This should allow him to return to his dominant form and allow us fans to breath easier in the 9th inning.

Pitching phenomenon Daniel Bard lit up radar guns and terrified hitters last season.  I see him progressing this year and being used in more and more stressful situations.  Terry Francona's confidence in him will continue to rise.  He will become a dominant set-up man.  I think Manny Delcarmen will return to his early season form and have a more complete season during this campaign.  He is an important piece and we need him sharp for the whole year.  Hideki Okajima and Ramon Ramirez were awesome last year and I expect nothing but the best from them both.  I suspect Junichi Tazawa to play a key role in the bullpen this year. 

The Red Sox have the potential to dominant any line-up this season.  Every one of these gentlemen can toe the rubber with full confidence and loads of talent.  We have great depth and talent on the mound. 

Now to the position players:

Red Sox Nation has been devasted by the demotion of our switch-hitting, computer for a brain, Captain and catcher Jason Varitek.  I'm sure he wanted his career to end with him playing a more prominent role, but I still think he will be a vital cog in the Red Sox machine this season.  He will lead the pitching staff by helping to create a gameplan to attack every hitter, training Victor Martinez to handle them better, and making any on-the-fly adjustments during games and innings.  He still has some power and I think his bat will surprise us all.  I believe the added rest will allow his bat to stay quick all season long.  Plus he will have less pressure to perform at the plate this year.  I think it is win-win. 

Victor Martinez is an offensive stud.  A switch hitter with plate discipline, power and a gift for driving in runs.  He is a natural leader who demands and receives respect.  Also, he worked wonders with Clay Buchholz's developement last year.  I can't wait to have him for a full year.

I am a little concerned that both Martinez and Tek have such a hard time throwing out attempted base stealers.  I hope the pitchers doe a better job holding runners and that should mitigate their throwing troubles.

I'm thrilled that Kevin Youkilis is back at first base full time this year.  He is a wiz with the first base mitt on.  He saves bad throws, fields his position smoothly and is very smart.  His work ethic has turned him into a Gold Glove first baseman.  Once upon a time, Youk was an on-base machine but nothing else.  Through hardwork and increased confidence he has transformed himself into an RBI-machine with devasting power hitter.  He is the Red Sox most steady force.

Second base is manned by Dustin Pedroia.  His glove is gold and his bat silver.  He plays the game hard and is a proven winner.  He is the ultimate Dirt Dawg.  I love this guy.  Give we 25 just like him and it's title time.

At Shortstop is one of our new arrivals, Marco Scutaro.  2009 was a career year for him offensively.  He has always had a great reputation as a stellar defensive player.  Please be patient with this guy.  Enjoy his glove and appreciate the little things he does to help the Red Sox win games.  Don't expect him to be Nomar at the dish.

Third base has been handed to new join Adrian Beltre.  Beltre is a Gold Glove caliper defender who been struggling at the plate since he career year in 2004.  Some believe he will benefit from hitting at Fenway for 81 games this season.  I hope that is true.  I'll be happy if he plays great defense, hit between 20-25 homeruns and drives in between 75-90 runs. 

Mike Lowell will be a Red Sox at the beginning of Spring Training but management seems keen on trading him before the season starts.  Lowell will get an ample chance to prove he is healthy, and could  stay with the team if anything happens to David Ortiz, Youkilis or Beltre.  On a personal note, I love Lowell and appreciate all he has done for the Red Sox.  He has been a joy to watch.  I wish him well if he does leave.

Jed Lowrie and Bill Hall appear to be the front-runners for the utility infield job.  Lowrie should start the season at AAA, so he can prove he is healthy.  Once he is deemed fit, he needs to come-up so he can begin to rebulid his confidence and reputation.  I'm excited about the Bill Hall signing.  He is an exciting player and can play everywhere on the field. I hope he can become our Mark McLemore (Utility stud for the Mariners in the late '90's).  

The Red Sox outfield should be very interesting this year.  It will not have nearly as much power as Red Sox fans are use to, but could be dynamic defensively and very productive.

Leadoff man extraordinare Jacoby Ellsbury will be changing numbers and positions this season.  The Red Sox speed demon is now number 2 and playing leftfield.  I think he will continue to develope into the premier leadoff hitter in baseball.  I would like to see him walk more and continue slapping the ball the other way.  I see him playing pepper with the Green Monster and getting a lot more doubles.

Mike Cameron will be our new centerfielder.  There was awhile when he was compared to Torii Hunter.  Don't expect that type of bat but he should have a smiliar glove, and steal more bases.  He appears in great shape and has always been a high character type.  He is leader and should be a great additions.  Don't expect huges numbers, but he plays the game the right way.

J.D. Drew will again man right.   Drew is what he is.  He gets hurt.  He breaksdown.  He won't play 162 games.  All I ask from him is 140-145 games.  Give us that and his production will be there.  I don't need 40 homeruns from him, but at solid 25-30 homeruns and 100 RBIs would be outstanding.

I hope Josh Reddick is our 4th outfielder this year.  He is young and exciting.  I love the way he plays and he has great potential at the plate.  But he will have to beat out Jeremy Hermida for that chance this Spring.  Hermida came-up with lots of potential with the Marlins, but has come-up short.  If he can tap into his vast potential then he could be a real steal.

Last but not least I'd like to discuss our Big Papi, David Ortiz.  Last season was a rough one for Mr. Clutch.  He was in a funk the majority of the year and didn't have his normal swagger.  He seemed lost and confused.  Once he found his stroke again, teams were not worried about him as much as they were in the past.  He needs to start the year on-fire and prove to world that he is ready to have a big year.  Don't expect him to hit 50 homeruns and get 140 RBIs, but we can expect (DEMAND!!!) Big Papi to give us 35-40 HRs and 100-110 RBIs.

I know this was long winded and if you made it this far you deserve a treat, but thanks for sticking with me. 

The Red Sox ar in for a very exciting season and expect great things from the Boston nine.  I predict 90-95 wins.  I believe we will be the American League Wild Card.  Then, once we get to the dance anything can happen.  

Enjoy the season!!!!

Go Red Sox!!!!!