That does not mean that there aren't some issues to deal with before they begin what they hope will be a memorable campaign. In this edition of the Red Sox Lineup, let us examine the nine most pressing questions facing the team as Grapefruit League play gets under way.
1. Who will gain that last spot or two in the bullpen? As it sits, there are five sure bets as Opening Day relievers — Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler and Tim Wakefield. Hideki Okajima and Scott Atchison figure to have the inside track for two other spots, but Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Matt Albers and a few others will be in the mix. The first two of that trio could be stretched out and serve as starting pitching depth in the system.
2. As mentioned, Aceves and Miller are about the only options out of the group of new arms that came to camp that could be utilized as a starter. Beyond that, the system lacks starting pitching depth. After the starting five, there is Tim Wakefield and Felix Doubront as immediate spot start candidates. But removing Wakefield alters the bullpen, and Doubront is currently shelved due to elbow issues, which could be a scary development. Unless the organization is confident that both Aceves and Miller will be trustworthy starters this year, it might need to make a move. A type like Chad Durbin, who was rumored to be talking to Boston before he signed with Cleveland, might be a nice fit.
3. Aceves himself presents an interesting conundrum. He could prove to be a valuable member of the middle relief corps, but he has said that his first choice would be as a starter, and he would be infinitely valuable in that role if somebody gets hurt. Terry Francona was asked about the decision to treat Aceves as a starter or reliever this month.
"That's the either-or," Francona said. "We certainly like the idea of getting him stretched out but he's proven he can do both. Some of those decisions depend upon the makeup of the ballclub, not just now but moving forward."
Something to think about when you monitor Aceves's workload this spring.
4. Jed Lowrie will probably serve as the backup at all four infield spots. If someone goes down and he becomes an everyday player, then the question becomes: Who will the organization call on to play a utility role? In camp, Drew Sutton is one guy who has some major league experience and can play multiple positions. The same could be said for Brent Dlugach, but he separated his left shoulder already. Yamaico Navarro, who had a cup of coffee in Boston last season, looks pretty capable at third and has experience at short. Nate Spears, who hit 20 homers at Double-A Portland and can play second or third, might surface as an option down the road. Just as the club might go fishing for another starter, it also could look elsewhere for some infield help.
5. It doesn't seem as if it will be an issue, but everyone will be watching to see how Josh Beckett looks when he finally makes his second start, only because of his history — not his history with concussions but his history with physical issues in March. It was in 2008 that he had back pain during spring training and ended up going 12-10 with a 4.03 ERA. Last spring, it was a flu bug that got him, sapping his strength and setting the stage for a 6-6 campaign. He had just talked about how he wants to have a smooth March the night before he was struck in the head. Hopefully, this issue doesn't affect him like the others did.
6. The same sort of health watch will be on for Adrian Gonzalez, although he looks as if he is in great shape in his recovery from shoulder surgery. Gonzalez took 75 swings Wednesday and could be facing live hitting in the coming days. It is not out of the realm of possibility to see him in an actual game before the middle of the month, which would give him plenty of time to get ready.
7. The lineup. Everyone wants to know what the lineup will be. That talk has been incessant since December and it will intensify in that final week of March. Right now, it's about playing with combinations, not one through nine but just in small pairings. For instance, some have felt that Francona will do what he can to keep David Ortiz and J.D. Drew apart as both were pretty poor against left-handers last year. However, Francona has already hit them back-to-back twice this spring and on Wednesday he gave us a glimpse of one strategy that might help them succeed a bit as a pairing.
With Ortiz on first and Drew up, Francona sent Big Papi to second base, which he stole without a throw. Francona said he wants teams to feel a need to hold Ortiz in order to give Drew a bigger hole. Such a mind-set would suggest that the skipper might want to keep his two lefty bats together from time to time.
8. Spring training offers a great chance for young players who might not have any chance at making the team to at least make an impression with the major league staff watching. It is usually those guys that are on the cusp but still definitively Triple-A material that get loads of action, and someone will stand out. Last year, it was Josh Reddick who turned some heads. He hammered the ball all month in Florida. Unfortunately, he started slow at Pawtucket.
A good candidate to make waves this year is Lars Anderson. Francona has raved about his defensive improvements and Anderson already has a home run in eight at-bats. He's played as much or more than anyone so far, and as long as Gonzalez is out, he will continue to be in the lineup almost every day.
Reddick, for his part, is already 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.
9. The Sox outfield is set. It is talented, deep and versatile. About the only thing Francona needs to figure out is where, when and how often he wants to play Mike Cameron and Darnell McDonald. Both can play all three spots, although Cameron's experience in left is virtually nil. Those two will be moved around plenty in the spring in order to try them in different situations. Cameron, for one, looks extremely good so far. Expect him to be a key contributor in a limited role this season.
