by William Menna

Created on: March 11, 2010

After finishing second in the American League East for the second consecutive season, the Boston Red Sox are changing directions.  In 2010, the Boston Red Sox will refocus their team around pitching and defense.  The team’s main offseason acquisitions - starting pitcher John Lackey and Gold Glove winners Mike Cameron and Adrian Beltre - emphasize these areas. 

The 2010 Red Sox pitching rotation has a great deal of strength at the top and depth at the bottom.  Lefty Jon Lester has established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last two seasons.  In 2009, he struck out 225 batters in 203.1 innings, good for third in the AL.  Lester is Boston’s number one starter.

Righty co-ace Josh Beckett has done a great job of adjusting to American League play since his first season with Boston in 2006.  In the last three seasons, he has a 3.71 ERA overall with nearly a strikeout per inning and just 129 walks in 587.1 innings.  New acquisition John Lackey, the former Angels’ ace, has posted similar three-year numbers to Beckett.  Since 2007, Lackey has a 3.48 ERA, 448 strikeouts, and 139 walks in 563.2 innings.  A front three of Lester, Beckett, and Lackey is stronger on paper than any other team’s top three starters.

The Red Sox pitching rotation will be rounded out by righty Daisuke Matsuzaka, 2009 All-Star knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and rising young righty Clay Buchholz.  In the bullpen, closer Jonathan Papelbon leads a strong staff of relievers.  Lefty Hideki Okajima and righty fireballer Dan Bard will be the primary setup men.  Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen, and Scott Atchison will add reliable depth in middle relief and back end work.

Though they let slugger Jason Bay sign with the Mets in the offseason, the 2010 Red Sox lineup will have depth from one through nine and has a few big bats.  The Red Sox’s infield is loaded with great gloves winners and comprises the bulk of their offense.  First baseman Kevin Youkilis, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, and third baseman Adrian Beltre are all former Gold Glove award winners.

Kevin Youkilis was among the top 2009 AL MVP candidates due to his bat.  His .961 OPS was second only to Joe Mauer as he reached base at a .413 clip while hitting 27 home runs and 36 doubles in 491 at-bats.  Youkilis will bat cleanup in the 2010 Red Sox lineup.  Pedroia, winner of the 2008 AL MVP award, bats

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>