Here, in no particular order, are nine stories to watch this season, stories that could well determine whether the Sox are back in the postseason or spending a third straight season on the outside.
1. Early Valentine Days
The team’s biggest acquisition this offseason was a new manager. Now, Bobby Valentine has to prove it’s not business as usual in southwest Florida. Terry Francona was the ultimate players’ manager, and gave the players in the clubhouse all the freedom a team could want. They, in turn, took advantage of that freedom and cost Francona his job. Will the new sheriff get this team going in the right direction in these early days of camp? He’d better, if the Sox are going anywhere this season.
2. New Rules of Order
The 2011 Red Sox clearly lacked clubhouse discipline. We’ve heard the stories of what was going on behind closed doors. If a team is to be trusted on the field, it has to be trusted off the field as well. These are grown men, not children, but Valentine will need to lay down the rules regarding clubhouse behavior early and stick to them closely.
3. The Conversion
Daniel Bard established himself as one of the key setup men in the American League, despite struggling in September. Now Bard will be a starter for the first time since 2007, when he was pitching in Single-A. Bard was 3-7 with a 7.08 ERA that season, numbers that won’t cut it with the Red Sox. This is something Bard really wants, and he’s a brilliant and dedicated pitcher. Can he extend himself to 150-plus innings, and can he expand his repertoire as a starter? Those are important questions for the coming year.
4. The Back End of the Rotation
Even if Bard succeeds as a starter, the team needs a fifth arm to fill out the rotation. Andrew Miller, Alfredo Aceves, Vincente Padilla, Carlos Silva, Aaron Cook and Clayton Mortenson will be vying for the job. Not one of them is Roy Oswalt, but if any one of them can become this year’s Freddy Garcia, the Sox will have a strong starting staff.
5. The Shortstop
Marco Scutaro is gone. Jose Iglesias is not here just yet. Can Nick Punto and Mike Aviles get the job done? If not, Iglesias may need to be rushed to the big leagues. He’s already got a big-league glove, but his bat probably needs more seasoning.
6. Extreme Bullpen Makeover
Jonathan Papelbon might have been the greatest closer in team history. He’s gone. Bard seemed to be the heir apparent. He’s a starter. The Sox begin the season with Andrew Bailey as closer, and Mark Melancon setting him up. If Aceves joins them in the bullpen, relief pitching should be a strength for this team. But there’s always an adjustment coming to the AL East, so keep an eye on how Bailey and Melancon handle that move.
7. Returning to action.
Kevin Youkilis and Clay Buchholz are keys to the success of the 2012 Red Sox. Both struggled last year during injury-plagued seasons. Youkilis hit just .258 and hasn’t played 145 games in a season since 2008. Buchholz won just six games and didn’t make a start after June 15. Quite simply, the Sox need a healthy Youkilis in the middle of the lineup and a healthy Buchholz in the middle of the rotation to contend this season.
8. The Right Fielder
Cody Ross might be a good preseason pick to win the team’s 10th Player Award this season. The former NLCS MVP will step into the right field void, and he won’t have to do much to outperform the oft-injured J.D. Drew. With Carl Crawford recovering from wrist surgery, Ross will get a chance to make an immediate impact in one of the corner outfield positions. The Sox are still left-handed heavy, so the right-handed hitting Ross may get the chance to hold onto a starting job even after Crawford returns.
9. Compensation
Could the Sox still get a “significant” player from the Cubs as compensation for Theo Epstein? Yes. Should you hold your breath and bank on that player being the key to the 2012 season? No. Still, a player from Chicago could factor into all this before it’s all said and done … if the commissioner ever awards such a player to the Sox.
