Who needs a diversion?
I can't think of a better place to look than spring training, where the grass is always greener!
Things I am looking forward to:
1. A dominant defensive outfield and a top tier defensive infield.
2. 3 potential aces, 1 potential future ace (buch), and 1 japanese import with talent who is pitching for pride this season.
3. A bounce back year from Big Papi. He has one big year left in him.
4. A-Gon at the deadline.
5. V-Mart being the team MVP and a clutch hitter.
6. Beltre finiding his Fenway stroke a la Mikey Lowell in 2007.
7. Paps dominating after letting down the team in an elimination game last year. (Plus he is pitching for money and respect)
8. A fun double play combination in Pedey ans Scutaro
9. Jacoby Ellsbury threatening 100 steals with his legs being saved from the outfield shift.
10. A JD Drew contract year. Count on a more aggressive hitter with runners on base.
11. Winning with alot of home grown talent.
I really could go on forever. It's spring training! Bask in the positive energy!
I think we can win it this year.
Elite pitching and defense will be our bread and butter.
I think people are underestimating our offense. I hope that we hit so that we don't need to trade for Gonzalez and keep our prospects.
Compare our lineup to that of last year
1. Jacoby will be better this year, after another year of development.
2. Pedroia should be about the same.
3. Youk stays healthy and gives us better numbers
4. Papi hits much better than he did last year
5. Beltre in Fenway has much better numbers than a broken down Lowell
6. Scutaro a better hitter than anyone we ran out at short last year
7. A full season of V-Mart is better than what TEk did last year
8. JD Drew if healthy should put up similar numbers to last year
9. Cameron will be worse than Bay but he should hit a 25+ home runs which isn't that big of a drop from Bay.
So I expect an increase or the same production from all positions except for Left.