Boston already has added John Lackey, Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro to the roster. Next up could be Adrian Gonzalez.
If the Red Sox can get Gonzalez, their Opening Day lineup against the Yankees might look like this:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedrioa, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Cameron, LF
J.D. Drew, RF
Marco Scutaro, SS
The Red Sox are picking up steam like a runaway locomotive this hot stove season. But the Bronx Bombers aren’t going to twiddle their thumbs while Boston strengthens every weak link. The Yankees will be reloaded themselves, and their lineup next year won’t resemble chopped liver. Here's one possibility:
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Jason Bay, LF
Jorge Posada, C
Johnny Damon, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Of course, Bay could sign with the other New York team, and Johnny Damon could price himself out of a return ticket. The Yankees could go with Melky Cabrera in left field or Brett Gardner or Damon. The designated hitter could be Carlos Delgado, Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, Vladimir Guerrero or somebody else.
Anything is possible with the Yankees. No matter what they decide to do in left and at designated hitter, opposing pitchers will face a challenge from the 1 spot to the 9 hole.
The Yankees remain the barometer of the success in the major leagues. As the defending champs, that fact is magnified. They are not sitting around their offices polishing their 27th world championship trophy and staring at the reflection. They are shooting for No. 28.
Every Red Sox move — consciously or unconsciously — is made to beat the Yankees. Boston’s goal is to win everything, and to reach that goal means going through the pinstripes. This year, that means dethroning them.
The Red Sox get their first chance on April 4 at Fenway Park. They are doing everything they can to make sure they're ready.
