RED SOX: Questions to ask about 2007 champs

By KEVIN THOMAS
Blethen Maine Newspapers

They are coming. The pitchers and catchers. Spring training. Baseball.

Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers will report Thursday to Fort Myers, Fla. It
is the annual, eagerly awaited sign that baseball is on the way.

Makes you want to unzip the parka a few inches. Super Bowl? What Super Bowl?

It is Red Sox time. And Boston begins 2008 with high expectations. This is not
only based on hope but accomplishment. These Red Sox won the 2007 World Series.
And they did something the 2004 champions failed to do.

These Sox stayed together for the most part.

In 2005, the Red Sox began the defense of their title without pitchers Pedro
Martinez and Derek Lowe, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera. In 2008, Boston returns
every regular, almost every starter and every key relief pitcher. It appeared
the entire starting rotation was returning until Curt Schilling's shoulder
problemst.

Already gone are ineffective reliever Eric Gagne and utility player Eric Hinske.

Conversely, without major depletions, the Red Sox didn't make any headline
acquisitions. Their biggest signing so far was announced Tuesday -- backup first
baseman Sean Casey to replace Hinske.

That's it.

Recent spring trainings have featured stories on the newcomers -- J.D. Drew,
Julio Lugo and Daisuke Matsuzaka last year; Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Coco
Crisp and Alex Gonzalez in 2006; David Wells, Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria in
2005; Schilling and Keith Foulke ... you get the point.

General manager Theo Epstein likes the hand he holds. He re-signed five free
agents -- third baseman Lowell, pitchers Schilling and Mike Timlin, backup
catcher Doug Mirabelli and utility outfielder Bobby Kielty to a minor-league
deal. And even with Schilling apparently out, Boston could be OK if right-hander
Clay Buchholz produces.

Epstein resisted the temptation to give up bundles of prospects and cash for
pitcher Johan Santana.

So with the personnel similar, what can you look for in the Red Sox this spring
training?

Glad you asked. We have 10 questions of our own.

1. CAN TIM WAKEFIELD KEEP ON KEEPING ON? When we last heard from Wakefield, he
was explaining why he couldn't pitch in the World Series -- because of
inflammation behind his right shoulder. He missed the first round of the
playoffs for the same reason.

Wakefield, 41, also missed part of the 2006 season with back and rib cage
injuries. Yes, Wakefield 'only' has to throw a knuckleball. But folks, it's
harder than it looks, and Wakefield's durability is definitely a question mark.

2. HOW WILL CLAY BUCHHOLZ FARE? The initial question was where Buchholz would
fit in. But with Schilling on the shelf, Buchholz appears ready to slide into
the rotation.

Buchholz, the 23-year-old with a no-hitter already under his belt, is still
developing. He will be monitored carefully and could be a force in the playoffs.

3. IS DAISUKE MATSUZAKA'S ADJUSTMENT OVER? There will be lots of talk how
Matsuzaka, after a whirlwind rookie year, will be more comfortable in his second
season in the U.S. But it's fair to say batters have also had a look at him. The
surprise factor is gone.

Matsuzaka must do what Beckett did from 2006 to 2007 -- trust his stuff and
throw strikes. No more silly talk of gyroballs. The key for Dice-K is Strike
One.

4. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE CATCHING? Everybody loves Jason Varitek, the
captain. But Varitek turns 36 in April and he still will be asked to catch four
out of every five games because his backup is 37-year-old Doug Mirabelli, who
batted .202 last year.

It's safe to say the Red Sox would have preferred to get a steadier backup. They
did re-sign No. 3 catcher Kevin Cash to a minor-league contract, and he likely
will go to Pawtucket with George Kottaras and Dusty Brown. If Brown, 25, the Sea
Dogs' regular the past two years, tears up Pawtucket, he could be an option. And
yes, he can catch a knuckleball.

5. WILL COCO CRISP ACCEPT A BACK-UP ROLE? The wonder kid, center fielder Jacoby
Ellsbury, has made Crisp a forgettable player, or at least, trade bait. But
don't forget that while Crisp hit a so-so .268, he also played the best center
field in the American League.

A switch hitter with speed, Crisp would make a great fourth outfielder, although
an expensive one at $4.75 million. Crisp handled his benching in the playoffs
with class, but would he handle such a role for a whole season? Look for a
trade, or a lot of talk about Crisp getting his share of playing time.

6. WHO REPLACES GAGNE IN THE BULLPEN? Maybe no one. Boston already returns seven
relievers -- Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Timlin, Julian
Tavarez, Javier Lopez and Kyle Snyder.

Tavarez, who was left off the playoff roster, is a valuable long man. Bullpen
roles can come and go. Remember J.C. Romero, Joel Pineiro and Brendan Donnelly
last year? Boston is bringing a boatload of relievers to camp, including 40-man
roster guys Bryan Corey (1.93 ERA in nine games),

Craig Hansen (who the Red Sox are hoping finally gets it), Devern Hansack, Edgar
Martinez, Kyle Jackson and the recently acquired David Aardsma. Plus, there are
about seven other relievers on minor-league contracts.

7. FOUR OR FIVE OUTFIELDERS? If Crisp stays, Kielty either becomes the fifth
outfielder or goes to Pawtucket.

It's more complicated this year because while Casey replaced Hinske as the
backup first baseman, he cannot play the outfield like Hinske. If the Red Sox
put Kielty on the major-league roster, they have an extra player and will have
to reduce the bullpen from seven to six pitchers. If Kielty is sent to the
minors, then there is no real backup for J.D. Drew in right. Neither Crisp nor
Ellsbury have a very strong arm for right field, although there's something to
be said for their speed.

Two scenarios will result in only four outfielders -- if Crisp is traded or if
Kielty is sent to Pawtucket with the idea of calling him up if needed. Brandon
Moss also remains an option.

8. IS JUSTIN MASTERSON GOING TO PITCH IN BOSTON THIS YEAR? Careful. Papelbon,
Lester and Buchholz have spoiled fans into thinking that every big pitching
prospect coming through Portland is going to make it.

Masterson, who turns 23 next month, was 4-3 (4.34 ERA) in 10 starts with the Sea
Dogs last year. He still has some kinks to work out. But if Masterson gets that
sinker as nasty as he's capable of, the Red Sox may have to call him up, even if
it's in the bullpen.

9. HOW ABOUT JED LOWRIE? Funny what a year does. Lowrie, a middle infielder,
struggled with injuries and a .262 average in Class A in 2006. Last year Lowrie
batted .297 in Portland and finished with a .300 clip in 40 games with
Pawtucket. He's back to being a big prospect.

Unless there's an injury, Lowrie likely will stay in Pawtucket all year, with a
possible September call-up.

Shortstop Julio Lugo has three years left on his contract and his play could
determine Lowrie's future with Boston.

10. WILL THERE BE A LETDOWN? The last team to repeat as World Series champion
was the New York Yankees (actually a three-peat, from 1998-2000). The Red Sox
may falter but it would not be because of a letdown. It just does not seem
likely with this bunch.

The roster is filled with young guys still hungry, and older players who
understand that this is a special team, capable of winning again.

Just so you know.

Mona in Maine


Earn $$ for Sylvio J Gilbert Elm Sch, Search the Internet at www.GoodSearch.com
Childhood is lost when you see mud-puddles as obstacles instead of
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