Red Sox 2010 Spring Training

Finally, it's here. The Sox are in Ft. Myers now preparing for another season full of of hope for another title. First, here's a look at the roster there (courtesy of Monozygotic and MLB.com).

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

61 Randor Bierd R/R 6-4 190 03/14/84
53 Fernando Cabrera R/R 6-4 225 11/16/81
83 Kris Johnson L/L 6-4 170 10/14/84
93 Casey Kelly R/R 6-3 195 10/04/89
82 Adam Mills R/R 5-11 190 11/19/84
84 Edwin Moreno R/R 6-1 220 07/30/80
46 Joe Nelson R/R 6-1 205 10/25/74
55 Brian Shouse L/L 5-10 190 09/26/68
36 Jorge Sosa R/R 6-2 220 04/28/77
97 Kyle Weiland L/R 6-4 195 09/12/86

Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

91 Luis Exposito R/R 6-3 210 01/20/87
72 Gustavo Molina R/R 6-1 245 02/24/82

Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

78 Lars Anderson L/L 6-4 215 09/25/87
96 Yamaico Navarro R/R 5-11 170 10/31/87
62 Angel Sanchez R/R 6-2 205 09/20/83
60 Gil Velazquez R/R 6-3 190 10/17/79

Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

87 Zach Daeges L/R 6-4 225 11/16/83
92 Ryan Kalish L/L 6-1 205 03/28/88
85 Che-Hsuan Lin R/R 6-0 180 09/21/88
54 Darnell McDonald R/R 5-11 210 11/17/78

Without question, the Sox have the deepest rotation in the whole league with six candidates vying for one spot. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester lead the charge in what could be Beckett's last in Boston as the 1-2 punch. Beckett needs to limit his long balls this season and pitch with a little less emotion after giving up one. Behind them, is newly acquired ace John Lackey who should provide the oomph for a 1-2-3 combo. Clay Buchholz could be penciled in for the number four slot if he has a good spring training beating out Daisuke Matsuzaka. This is Buc's year to break-out as many forecast and I think he can win 15 this time around. Matsuzaka has claimed to be improving his relations with the organization and working towards a better 2010 than the disaster that was 09. His key will be keeping his pitch count down by throwing more strikes. It wouldn't hurt if he varied himself with off-speed stuff to righties. On the outside looking in (unfortunately) is Tim Wakefield. Wakefield had various back issues the second half of last season, but was undoubtedly their ace in the first half. Wake should fare well in limited starts and be a monumental asset to the bullpen which was re-vamped after FA departures.

The hitting is something the Sox need to work on. Jason Bay's departure really widened that gap. David Ortiz can't be so sluggish this season and Adrian Beltre has to prove that '09 was a fluke. Mike Lowell's time in Boston is uncertain leaving Jed Lowrie as 3B coverage in the event Youkilis is playing first that day. Victor Martinez should continue where he left off last season after hitting .303 and even higher when first acquired. Dustin Pedroia should rebound this season not swinging at so many balls he has no business trying to make a play out of. Marco Scutaro is a better offensive player than A-Gon was, but defensively not so. I expect Scutaro's 2009 not to repeat this season. Kevin Youkilis will need protection from Ortiz and Pedroia to remain the top hitter/home run contributor. The outfield is what really concerns me. Jacoby Ellsbury has been moved to left for Mike Cameron to play center and J.D. Drew in right. Ellsbury was criticized for his play in center, but left field with the "Monster" is a whole different ball game. Look for a few errors on his part. Cameron is solid, but age is slowly starting to sap his bat. Drew will contribute when he can, but he's so injury-prone Jeremy Hermida or Bill Hall will be getting decent playing time.

Outlook: The Sox will dominate this season and win it all. The Yanks simply aren't as deep bench wise or rotation wise to stop them. This could be the last hurrah for guys like Beckett, Ortiz, Papelbon, and if Lowell is still around (which I'm sure he won't).