Fellow Sawxheads, I know it is early to speculate on our Red Sox 2010 batting order, but I got to thinking about it last night and wanted to share my thoughts.

My first thought was that Terry Francona would roll this out:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pderoia

3. David Ortiz

4. Victor Martinez

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. Adrian Beltre

7. J.D. Drew

8. Mike Cameron

9. Marco Scutaro

That is a solid batting order.  If everyone plays to their potential, the Red Sox should score some runs.

But then I got to thinking about the most fearsome batting order that I have ever seen, the one that kept me up late hoping the Red Sox would survive their attack.  In 1999 the Cleveland Indians had a powerful line-up that was balanced and could beat you in so many ways.

Their batting order looked like this (most of the time):

1. Kenny Lofton

2. Omar Vizquel

3. Roberto Alomar

4. Manny Ramirez

5. Jim Thome

6. David Justice

7. Travis Fryman

8. Will Cordero

9. Einar Diaz

The Indians first 3 hitters could all get on-base, steal bases, handle the bat, and generally cause the opposition huge headaches.  4-8 all had power and knew how to drive-in big runs.  Diaz was an OK catcher who provided a little hitting.  They were consistent all year and could score runs in so many ways.  They could beat you power, by grinding out at-bats, or with their legs. 

I think the Red Sox can maximize their offense and get the most out of their order by doing a very similiar thing this season.  My ideal 2010 Red Sox line-up would look like this: 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Marco Scutaro

3. Dustin Perdoia

4. Victor Martinez

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. David Ortiz

7. Adrian Beltre

8. J.D. Drew

9. Mike Cameron

The Red Sox top three can all get on-base, steal bases, handle the bat and casue the opposition major headaches.  4-9 all are capable of hitting 20-30 homeruns and can drive-in big runs.  Ortiz doesn't have the pressure of hitting 3rd of 4th, and by having them hit in the bottom third of the order we can limit the stress of Beltre and Cameron to produce right away. 

Plus, I love hitting Pedroia third.  His swagger is contagious and can you image the junk he will talk hitting in the middle of the line-up?  Remember the pure joy he and the whole team had when he hit clean-up in 2008?  I think hitting third will allow him to be more of a run producer and the Red Sox really need that. 

So, this is my take.  Let me know what you think.