Clay Buchholz followed Jon Lester‘s strong performance Sunday with seven shutout innings of his own Monday afternoon, which bodes well for the Red Sox’ starting staff this year.

After sputtering last season, the starters are now under the tutelage of John Farrell in Boston, which many onlookers theorized would result in a return to form that the Sox badly needed. With John Lackey coming off Tommy John surgery and Ryan Dempster getting introduced to the mix as well, there are plenty of storylines surrounding the team’s rotation.

NESN Nation’s Dan Duquette asked our Twitter followers who they think the most important starter will be for the Sox this year. Check out what they had to say in the above video and vote for your choice in the poll below.

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Where they finish this season, however, is anybody’s guess.

With new manager John Farrell at the helm, the Red Sox will attempt to rebound from last year’s last-place finish and make their way back into the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Jackie Bradley Jr., Shane Victorino, and Jonny Gomes are among the notable new faces joining the likes of Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester and Will Middlebrooks on the Red Sox roster.

Lester will take the mound on Opening Day against the New York Yankees, and the hopes of Red Sox Nation will be riding with him. After the Sox have gotten out to slow starts the past few years, the pressure will be on for the team to start strong — and continue that momentum over the course of the season.

With the Toronto Blue Jays stockpiling talent north of the border, the Tampa Bay Rays poised to continue their success and the upstart Orioles out to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, the American League East might be the most competitive that it’s ever been. It will certainly be exciting to see how things shake up, and to find out how the new-look Sox will fare in 2013.

The Sox acquired Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, James Loney and Ivan De Jesus in the deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto to Los Angeles. De La Rosa and Webster are considered to be very solid pitching prospects.

Pedro Martinez placed a crazy amount of praise on De La Rosa, whom he’s known since De La Rosa was a child. Martinez threw out the likes of Roger Clemens and Juan Marichal when talking about De La Rosa’s pure stuff, and he thinks that the young right-hander could become one of baseball’s elite players when all is said and done.

De La Rosa already has some big league experience, even if it’s minimal. The 23-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, who the Dodgers signed as an amateur free agent back in 2007, went 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) for L.A. in 2011. De La Rosa then missed a significant amount of time because of Tommy John surgery, though, so the hope is that 2013 will be a healthy year.

Webster has no big league experience to his credit yet, but it shouldn’t be long before he does. The 23-year-old was rated the No. 95 prospect in baseball by Baseball America before the 2012 season. The right-hander then went 6-9 with a 3.86 ERA in 29 games (24 starts) at the Double-A level, and he’s now ranked No. 49 on Baseball America’s pre-2013 prospects list.

Perhaps De La Rosa will end up arriving in Boston sooner because of his big league experience, but who will carve out the better major league career?

Allen Webster photo (right) via Facebook/Allen Webster

Xander Bogaerts

The Red Sox endured plenty of injuries last season, and while they hope that isn’t the case this year, you simply never know when an unfortunate turn of events could thrust one of the team’s farmhands into big league action sooner than expected. The Sox would definitely love for Bogaerts and Bradley to get some more seasoning before making the jump to the majors, but perhaps it isn’t outside that realm of possibility that one or both could arrive in Boston at some point this season.

If the injury bug bites, the Red Sox may elect to go in a different direction before turning to their two prized prospects. Even so, baseball’s September roster expansion provides another opportunity for Bogaerts or Bradley to get their first taste of big league action. If they do get called up, the focus then turns to which one could make an immediate impact.

Bogaerts, a 20-year-old shortstop, was ranked the No. 8 prospect in baseball by Baseball America. He hit .326 (30-for-92) with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 23 games with Double-A Portland last season. Prior to that, he hit .302 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 104 games with High-A Salem. His bat is clearly his biggest strength, and many scouts expect him to become a future big league All-Star because of his plate presence.

Bradley, who turns 23 in April, was rated the No. 31 prospect for 2013 by Baseball America. Perhaps he could arrive in the majors sooner rather than later, though, not only because he’s older than Bogaerts, but also because there’s some uncertainty surrounding the future of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Bradley hit .315 with nine home runs and 63 RBIs split between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland in 2012. He also swiped 24 bags, and his defense is what has scouts drooling.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said after Thursday’s exhibition against Northeastern that we got a “glimpse into the future” by watching Bogaerts and Bradley. The question is when exactly will that future arrive, and one has to wonder who will have the bigger impact when it finally does.

Click here to read more about Bogaerts and Bradley >>

Photo via Facebook/Xander Bogaerts

After signing Mike Napoli to a one-year deal, the Red Sox finally gained their starting first baseman for the upcoming season. However, general manager Ben Cherington made it clear that he wanted to find a left-handed hitter to back up Napoli (and potentially play the outfield).

Overbay and Carp figure to be the two front-runners to serve as Napoli’s primary backup. While Mauro Gomez and Mark Hamilton could also be options, neither has a ton of big league experience. There, of course, is the possibility that more than one of these players cracks Boston’s Opening Day roster, but it’ll be interesting to see who gets a majority of the playing time when Napoli sits.

Overbay is a career .270 hitter. The 36-year-old has seen his role and production diminish in recent years, but he hit 20 home runs as a member of the Blue Jays in 2010. He also smacked 22 blasts, drove in 92 runs and hit .312 in 157 games with Toronto in 2006. While he’s never played the outfield in the bigs, he has at least discussed the possibility with the Sox, so perhaps it’s not too far-fetched.

Carp, who will turn 27 in June, is a career .255 hitter while playing in parts of four big league seasons. He hit .213 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 164 at-bats as a member of the Mariners last season, and he hit .276 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 290 at-bats the year before.

Gomez and Hamilton, meanwhile, don’t have the big league experience, but they have shown plenty of pop in the minors. Gomez is a .275 hitter in 102 major league at-bats, and the 28-year-old has hit 24 home runs and over .300 at Triple-A each of the last two seasons. Hamilton, who turns 29 in July and also plays the outfield, is a career .197 in 61 at-bats. He hit .345 with a .439 on-base percentage in Triple-A two seasons ago, though.

Overbay has already stated that he’s looking forward to competing for a job. Red Sox fans should welcome the competition as well.

A big theme of Boston’s 2012 campaign was pitchers of whom big things were expected but didn’t didn’t make good on that promise. In a lot of ways, the Red Sox’ campaign was derailed by bizarre maladies to its pitching staff.

Whether it be Daisuke Matsuzaka‘s inability to keep opposing teams in the ballpark or Scott Atchison‘s unidentified elbow issues, problems just kept plaguing Red Sox pitching. However, there are three cases, in particular, who really stand out heading into 2013 — and coincidentally they were photographed throwing together on Tuesday in Fort Myers.

First there was John Lackey, who went down for the season to Tommy John surgery before the year even began. Although he’s never lived up to his contract in Boston, he was an ace-caliber pitcher (and World Series Game 7 winner) in Los Angeles (of Anaheim) for years. So if Lackey can come back strong with a new elbow ligament, it would help stabilize the rotation.

Daniel Bard‘s problems first surfaced at the end of the 2011 campaign, mirroring Boston’s late-season collapse with his own personal crisis. Upon transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation for 2012, Bard’s control issues developed into full-blown Steve Blass disease, with Bard doing his best Rick Vaughn (before he got the glasses) impression. Nonetheless, if Bard can find the strike zone in 2013, it could give Boston one of the deepest bullpens in baseball.

Third, there’s Jon Lester, whose 2012 troubles still remain unidentified. While Lester suffered no physical or psychological ailments that we know about, his ineffectiveness was a big part of the Red Sox’ inability to win consistently last year. However, he’s been an ace-like pitcher in the past, and Boston’s counting on the lefty to lead their rotation in 2013.

So of those pitchers who struggled in 2012, who’s primed for a comeback? Who will help the Red Sox most during the 2013 season?

Photo via Twitter/Peter Abraham

The 2012 Red Sox finished tied for 14th in the majors in home runs, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia leading the way with 25, tying him for 21st in the American League.

Boston finalized a deal with Mike Napoli this week, which should add some offense to the lineup. Napoli has hit 20-plus home runs each season since 2008, and he could be in line to do so again this season if he remains healthy.

The Red Sox also signed free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes back in November. Gomes is a career .244 hitter, but he has plenty of pop. He hit 18 home runs last season in just 99 games.

David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury, who could once again find their way atop the Red Sox’ batting totals, missed a chunk of games last season, but appear healthy and ready to lead Boston’s rebound this season. Ortiz missed 72 games in 2012, but was still able to hit .318 with 23 home runs. Ellsbury made his return to the lineup in July and ended his season hitting .271 with just four home runs, but he did hit 32 bombs in 2011.

Will Middlebrooks will also be returning from an injury, as his season was cut short in August. Middlebrooks was hitting .288 with 15 home runs in only 75 games, and he could be ready to take the next step in 2013.

John Lackey added to the Red Sox’ pitching woes last season without throwing a single pitch. Lackey, in his third season in Boston, missed all of 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Many players have pitched well following the procedure, and that could be the case for Lackey in 2013. However, this is the same pitcher who is 26-23 through his first two years in Boston.

Lackey isn’t the only hurler who is looking to put 2012 in the past. Jon Lester went 9-14 last season with a 4.82 ERA after being one win away from a 20-win season in 2011 and averaging more than 16 wins a year before the 2012 season. The southpaw will try to regain his status as the ace of the Sox staff in 2013.

Another player who wants to rewind to 2011 is Jacoby Ellsbury, who battled injuries again in 2012. In his MVP-caliber season in 2011, Ellsbury batted .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs, and he’ll be looking to prove that those numbers are the norm going forward.

Daniel Bard was supposed to be the Red Sox’ closer at one point, showing tremendous upside as a prospect with his ability to hit the high 90s with his fastball. That didn’t work out, and neither did his transition to the starting rotation. With newly acquired Joel Hanrahan taking over the closer role, and Andrew Bailey in the setup role, Bard’s role is uncertain. On the upside, Bard has been reunited with John Farrell, who was the Red Sox’ pitching coach during Bard’s first two seasons in the big leagues.

Ellsbury, who finished second in MVP voting in 2011, hit .271 in just 74 games last year, marking the second time in three seasons he’s been plagued by an injury. That has led to scrutiny from some Red Sox fans who aren’t too confident in the outfielder’s ability to stay healthy.

A big bounce-back campaign from Ellsbury would go a long way toward helping the Sox climb out of the AL East cellar, but it’s even more important for the 29-year-old because he’s up for free agency after this season. Ellsbury figures to land a lucrative deal, but this season will determine just how big the Scott Boras client’s next contract will be.

The Red Sox avoided arbitration with Ellsbury on Friday, and he’s reportedly slated to make $9 million this season. Given the monster year he had in 2011 and the obvious talent, Ellsbury will likely be given a healthy raise when he signs his next deal. Boras has been known to land players big contracts, and there will likely be a sizable market for the speedster.

Ultimately, that means the Red Sox will need to pay up in order to retain Ellsbury’s services beyond 2013. There will surely be trade speculation throughout the year as well, as some feel the club should consider dealing Ellsbury in order to bring in talent, rather than just letting him walk away via free agency.

Players generally elevate their game in contract years, which means a big season could be on the horizon for Ellsbury. The big question, however, is whether it’ll be his last in Boston.

The Boston Red Sox’ John Farrell and Toronto Blue Jays’ John Gibbons join the New York Yankees’ Joe Girardi, Baltimore Orioles’ Buck Showalter and Tampa Bay Rays’ Joe Maddon.

Farrell arrives in Boston trying to fill the gaping hole left by Bobby Valentine last year. After his shortened adventure with the team across the northern border (Toronto), he is right back where he wants to be. It may not come as a surprise that there is a new atmosphere around Boston with the arrival of Farrell, whom general manager Ben Cherington and company have long coveted ever since Terry Francona left Fenway Park.

Over the course of Farrell’s coaching career, he has a record of 154-170. Considering all the transactions Boston has put in place, the newly named manager could be an envisioning a turnaround season from last year.

Girardi is going into his fifth year as the Yankees skipper in 2013. New York’s roster does have a decent amount of older players on the team, including Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez, but as long as they can stay healthy, Girardi may like his team’s chances. Girardi is 557-415 overall after a dominating 95-67 record in 2012.

On a day of remembering Earl Weaver, one of the greatest managers in Orioles’ history, it is only right to add Showalter into the mix. Baltimore’s manager has a ton of young, talented players in his possession to mix and match. Showalter (1,078-1,018) has created quite the resume in his time in the big leagues, but he has yet to break through for postseason success. Is this the year it happens?

In Tampa, Joe Maddon is and always will be an effective manager in the AL East. His team just gets the job done on an annual basis. With B.J. Upton out of the fold, Maddon may have a little worrying to do. But as long as the pitching can stay consistent and accurate the way David Price and company look on paper, he could have another AL East contender.

Gibbons will have a handful with the newly acquired players that were dealt to his team this past summer, including Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle. In his second go-round with the team, he’s looking to keep the success from last time but take his team farther in the division.

The AL East certainly has some of the best managers in the game. But who is the best of them all?

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall presented by Cape Air on NESN at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19.

John Lackey

Simply put, we don’t know what to expect from Lackey, who went 26-23 with a 5.26 ERA in two seasons with the Sox before undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2011 offseason. He could follow in the footsteps of the many hurlers who have actually pitched better after the procedure, or he could still be the pitcher who has vastly underperformed since inking a five-year deal before the 2010 season.

For many Red Sox fans, it’s hard to be optimistic. Not only are there now health concerns regarding Lackey, although all indications are that he’s ready to go, but it’s also hard to get past the 6.41 ERA he posted in 28 starts in 2011.

Before writing Lackey off completely, though, let’s not forget the success he enjoyed in Los Angeles. The veteran righty gained a reputation as a guy who loved pressure situations, and he was widely considered to be the Angels’ workhorse. Lackey even finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2007, a season in which he went 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA.

The Red Sox are an interesting team heading into this season. There’s still plenty of talent on the roster, but last year’s struggles left a bad taste in the mouths of many. Climbing the AL East ladder won’t be easy, but in order to do so, the Red Sox need quality starting pitching — something they didn’t have last year.

While the pressure falls largely on the shoulders of the team’s top two starters, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, Lackey is a player who could end up surprising the skeptics.

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall on NESN at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19.

One player who was on the ballot for the first time this year, but failed to get in was Curt Schilling. Schilling has never been linked to steroids, so his snub was simply a product of the writers feeling that his numbers aren’t quite Hall of Fame worthy.

There are plenty Red Sox fans who might say otherwise, though. Schilling’s 2004 playoff heroics will forever live in baseball lore, and his postseason resume as a whole is very impressive.

Schilling, who has three World Series rings to his credit, was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 19 career playoff starts, proving that the right-hander turned it on when the games mattered most. Of course, his most memorable performance — at least around Boston — was in Game 6 of the ALCS, when he shut down the Yankees for seven innings to help the Red Sox stay alive. We all know what happened after that.

Schilling is also highly regarded around Arizona because of his epic performance in the 2001 World Series, and there really is no denying his flair for the dramatic. His regular season numbers, while still impressive, are what ultimately could hold Schilling back.

The big righty went 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA over the course of 20 seasons. He earned six All-Star selections, finished second in Cy Young voting three times and won 20 games on two occasions.

That’s some impressive stuff, but Cooperstown is reserved for truly special players. Would you consider Schilling to truly be among the game’s all-time greats?

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall on NESN at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Dustin Pedroia

Pedroia, who is coming off a down season by his standards, was slated to represent Team USA in 2009, but he strained his oblique muscle while doing drills before a game. That, along with various injuries suffered to his fingers, is likely a big reason why the Red Sox second baseman opted to sit this one out.

Those in the Red Sox organization might be happy with this decision, as they saw Daisuke Matsuzaka seemingly wear himself down a bit during the 2009 tournament, but some Boston fans would probably like to see their guys play on the big stage — it’s similar to watching Bruins players lace up the skates in the Olympics.

All in all, however, there’s two sides to the added workload that comes with a WBC appearance. While some will insist it helps certain players get game ready — as a result of the preparation and competitiveness — before the start of the MLB season, others think the injury risk is far too high. After all, more games means more chances to develop some sort of ailment, and the extra work could cause players to wear down at some point during a 162-game big league slate.

So, Red Sox fans, what side of the fence are you on? Do you enjoy watching the hometown heroes put on a show for the rest of the world, or you would you prefer they all take a pass like Pedroia?

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall on NESN at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19.

If the Sox were to go after one of the remaining hurlers in free agency, there aren’t too many household names available, although a few could turn heads if they’re able to pitch the way they have at times in the past.

One pitcher garnering a lot of attention lately is Javier Vazquez, who has been impressing scouts in winter ball down in Puerto Rico. He’s apparently regained the velocity he had early on in his career, and it appears he has the itch to pitch again after sitting out 2012. Vazquez went 13-11 with a 3.69 ERA 32 starts with the Marlins in 2011.

The pitcher available who had the best 2012 is Kyle Lohse, who went 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 33 starts last season. His market hasn’t really materialized yet, though, because whichever team signs the 34-year-old will need to relinquish a draft pick in addition to whatever financial commitment it makes.

Shaun Marcum, meanwhile, is an intriguing option because he’s proven in the past that he is capable of pitching in the AL East. Marcum went 37-25 with a 3.85 ERA during parts of five seasons with the Blue Jays, and he continued to pitch well upon being traded to Milwaukee, but health concerns have steered some teams away.

Then, there are the classic low-risk, high-reward hurlers who are tough to put a finger on. This season, Ben Sheets and Brandon Webb represent the class of those types of pitchers.

Sheets went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA in nine starts with Oakland last season, but he’s a four-time All-Star despite missing all of 2009 and all of 2011.

Webb, who hasn’t stepped foot on a big league mound since 2009, and even then made just one start, was once of the game’s premier pitchers. The 33-year-old is a three-time All-Star who won a Cy Young award in 2006, and then finished second in NL Cy Young voting the two seasons after that.

When all factors — cost, talent, potential, etc. — are considered, who would you most like to see the Red Sox gamble on?

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall on NESN at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 19.

More than a month has passed since reports surfaced that the Sox had agreed to a three-year deal with Napoli, but the veteran still hasn’t been formally introduced, and more recent reports have indicated that a hip issue is to blame.

The Red Sox reportedly want to alter the terms of the agreement that was in place because a hip issue was detected during Napoli’s physical with the club. Now, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, the Sox would like to shorten Napoli’s deal to one year in order to ensure he’ll be 100 percent healthy going forward.

This obviously leaves a deal somewhat in doubt, although all indications have been that the Red Sox are still working toward a contract that would land Napoli in Boston. In the meantime, however, it appears Ben Cherington and Co. are doing their homework regarding other options, just in case they eventually need to go with a Plan B.

It’s unclear what exactly that Plan B would be, or if the Sox have any desire to move on from Napoli, who reportedly hasn’t spoken with other clubs throughout this process, but Mike Morse, Casey Kotchman and Lyle Overbay are a few names that have been linked to Boston in the wake of this apparent contract issue with Napoli.

So who will play first base for the Red Sox in 2013? Will Napoli finally walk through that door, or is it time for the Sox to start focusing on other options?

But who exactly is Plan B?

Well, recent reports indicated that the Red Sox contacted Adam LaRoche, but he re-signed with the Nationals on a two-year deal, leaving the already slim first-base market that much slimmer. What the LaRoche signing did do, though, was open up the possibility that Washington could deal Mike Morse, who would have become the Nats’ first baseman had LaRoche signed elsewhere.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox are among the teams in contact with the Nationals about Morse, and he opined that trading for the 30-year-old slugger makes sense for Boston. Rosenthal even insists that trading for Morse might be less of a risk than signing Napoli, whose deal with the Red Sox reportedly hasn’t been finalized yet because of a hip issue that was detected during his physical with the club.

Clearly, this report has Red Sox fans weighing the pros and cons of going after Morse, but he might not be the only option out there for the Red Sox to consider. Some other free agents or trade targets to keep in mind include Casey Kotchman, Nick Johnson, Carlos Lee, Justin Smoak and Justin Morneau.

Now, let’s make it clear that this is pure speculation. But with the Red Sox clearly needing a first baseman, it might be time for them to at least consider all options, just in case Napoli never arrives in Boston.

Some of  these names might sound a bit more appetizing than others, but when considering them, one must take into account what exactly is reasonably required to obtain their services.

Kotchman, Johnson and Lee are all free agents, while Smoak and Morneau — like Morse — would require the Red Sox to pull off a trade. That means Boston might have to give up some young talent in order to obtain this group’s more talented hitters, and that’s something that might not be conducive with the Red Sox’ future plans.

Kotchman, who actually appeared in 39 games with the Red Sox in 2009, would bring defensive stability, but his offensive upside is somewhat limited. Signing Johnson would mean banking on him staying healthy, while bringing in Lee would require some hope that he’ll be able to regain some of his former offensive prowess.

Smoak, meanwhile, is still just 26, and he’s always been a guy who has had tremendous upside. He’ll likely require the Red Sox to part ways with some decent pieces, though, and he has yet to live up to his high expectations.

Morneau is interesting in that he was once one of the game’s premier hitters. Health problems have plagued him, though, so giving up a haul of prospects for the four-time All-Star would require a roll of  the dice by Ben Cherington and Co.

Right now, Napoli might be the guy the Red Sox still covet. If their attention shifts, where should it shift to?

Photo via Flickr/Keith Allison

With the acquisition of Joel Hanrahan (and the quick decision to let him supplant Andrew Bailey as the team’s closer), the Sox have arguably one of the best bullpens in baseball. The hope, of course, is that the rest of the team plays well enough to give Hanrahan plenty of save opportunities, which would mean that the Red Sox are winning.

The 31-year-old Hanrahan, acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon and some minor leaguers, is fifth in the league in saves over the last two season. In 2012, he notched 36 saves for the Pirates, to go along with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.

The two-time All-Star has already expressed his excitement at playing in Boston and after getting over some fears about his new home in Fenway Park, should be rarin’ to go come Opening Day.

Tune in to the Red Sox Town Hall presented by Cape Air on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 p.m. on NESN. Submit your questions for Ben Cherington or John Farrell to answer using #RedSoxTownHall on Twitter.

Bobby Valentine

In an interview Tuesday with Bob Costas on Costas Tonight, Valentine said he wanted to manage again if the right situation presents itself. Whether a team would want to give Bobby V the right situation, however, is another question. After all, the 2012 season for Valentine and the Red Sox was not a very smooth one.

The Red Sox skipper clashed with his players early and often, most notably when he criticized Mike Aviles during spring training and then questioned Kevin Youkilis‘ commitment early in the season. The criticism of players continued past his tenure with the team, as Valentine also claimed in his recent interview with Costas that David Ortiz “decided not to play” toward the end of the 2012 campaign.

Valentine leaves the Red Sox with a career record of 1,186-1,165 as a manager in the big leagues, with one trip to the World Series to his name. The 62-year-old is still a popular figure in Japan, where he led the Chiba Lotte Marines to a Pacific League title, and he was also a successful broadcaster at ESPN before joining the Red Sox. The future could contain many possibilities for Bobby V, but whether or not working in a major league dugout is one of them remains to be seen.

Will Bobby Valentine manage in the major leagues again?
Click here to read why Valentine should get another chance to manage>>

John Farrell

Farrell, who was hired by Boston after managing American League East rival Toronto for two seasons, will have a lot on his plate during his first year running the team. The most important duty, though, will be trying to fix a team that put together one of the worst seasons in franchise history just a year ago. From the clubhouse to the pitching staff to the lineup, there's more than enough work that has to get done.

Bobby Valentine won only 69 games in his first and only season at the helm of the Red Sox. Farrell's most obvious goal should be to win at least 70 games, which — although it wouldn't be too impressive — would be progress.

Farrell didn't have much success with the Blue Jays over the past two years, averaging 77 wins per season and missing the postseason each time. The Red Sox have a lot more star power and potential than the Blue Jays, though. Their problem has just been putting that to good use. Whether it be hanging onto a late lead, coming through with a big hit or just making the right play, Boston had trouble figuring it all out during last season's 93 losses.

The Red Sox are more than capable of winning 90-plus games in Farrell's first year, but they were also capable of that in 2012. Since 2000, the Red Sox have won less than 90 games five times. Winning 90 games would pretty much guarantee a playoff spot — unless you're this year's Rays — and that should be the main goal of the 2013 Red Sox.

As Red Sox Nation has seen during the last three seasons, playing in the postseason isn't a lock every year anymore, but Farrell could be the guy that brings the Sox back.

Whether Farrell can get them there or not, wins are essential. So how many will Farrell and the Red Sox get in 2013?

How many games will John Farrell win in first year as Red Sox manager?

Heading into the playoffs, the Yankees were riding high. Champions of the AL East and owners of the best record in the league, it appeared that New York would be on its way to capturing another championship.

Now, on the heels of a stunning sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, questions swirl about the team's future, and whether or not the Yankees will be able to bounce back from their playoff collapse.

With the Yankees roster only getting older — and the team committed to big-time contracts for many aging stars — the Red Sox' midseason trade to shed salary and earn some financial flexibility has taken on added significance.

No longer themselves burdened by huge contracts, the Sox could have a better chance at rebuilding quickly and turning things around. Despite finishing 26 games behind New York in the standings this season, a new crop of young players could push the Red Sox back on the right path quickly.

The Yankees, on the other hand, could find themselves weighed down by their own huge pockets, finally paying the price for divvying out big deals as baseball's luxury tax begins to take its toll. Red Sox fans know how quickly a team can spiral out of contention — and Yankees fans are likely worried about suffering the same fate in 2013.

Who will win another World Series first?