The first place you look has to be the lineup. Obviously the additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez give the Red Sox a dynamic lineup. When you take into account the fact that players like Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia should be good to go by Opening Day after injuries derailed their 2010 seasons, it makes the Sox lineup that much more potent.
However, the additions of Crawford and Gonzalez should also go a long way in shoring up the Red Sox defense. Gonzalez will step in and provide Gold Glove offense at first allowing Youkilis to move back to third base — his natural position. If Jacoby Ellsbury is healthy, he, Crawford and J.D. Drew should provide one of the best defensive outfields in the game.
The offseason overhaul wasn't limited to position players. Theo Epstein addressed the bullpen as a weakness and needing help and went out and made it a strength. The additions of Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler to a pen already featuring Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard should the Sox the ability to shorten games on a routine basis.
The only aspect of Boston's game that didn't get a facelift is the starting rotation, something thought to have been a strength heading into 2010. Of course, that didn't work out as planned. However, if Josh Beckett and John Lackey can be just a little bit better than in 2010, the Sox will again have a strong rotation, especially with the continued development of Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
Which area of the Red Sox' game are you most confident in?Market Research
