I dont see this team changing very much at all next season.
1B Youkilis, ugly looking ballplayer....but somehow produces although its not pretty.
2B Pedroia..average may drop a little....but expect around .300 and better production.
SS Lugo..Lets face it, I doubt they bring in ANOTHER opening day SS, and he has played a lot better in the second half. Hes also been pretty good defensively.
3B Lowell..if the Sox can seriously bring in you know who....then im all for it, but at worst we will stick with a guy who is proven and loves playing baseball in this city.
LF Ramirez..hes not going anywhere, I dont understand why people think another team will take him after 6 seasons of balking at him on the waivers, and they wont eat 18+M just because other contracts are running out.
CF Crisp..He has really grown on me. I like the way he plays. I hope they dont get rid of the guy. He finally looks comfortable.
RF Drew..Damn you JD Drew and your contract. Hopefully year 2 is a complete turnaround. Anything he does next year HAS to be better than year 1.
C Tek..Another year, another season of his grittiness behind the plate.
DH Ortiz..Expect a HR/RBI rebound when he is healthy next year.
Bench:
Cora INF
Kielty OF/1B..I expect him to put on the 1B glove again during spring training next season.
Ellsbury...depending on JD Drew, he could see significant AB's.....even in RF (I know he has a weak arm...but if Manny and Crisp are here...where else will he play?) If nobody else is dealt, Ellsbury will be on the bench, or in AAA.....as much as we dont want to see that happen.
Backup C..I have doubts its going to be Mirabelli, especially since Cash has shown us that there are other catchers who are capable of catching the knuckle. Theo has to find one early in the offseason instead of just assuming that a guy can come in and learn it during spring training.
Carter/Hinske..whoever has the better spring will stick, Carter goes to AAA if he loses out, Hinske gets the boot if he loses out.
Rotation:
1. Beckett
2. Dice-K
3. Wakefield
4. Bucholz
5. Not really sure....not totally convinced it will be Lester.
Bullpen:
CL: Paps
RP: Oki
RP: Delcarmen
RP: Tavarez...I think he will be back.
RP: Another reliever...Timlin wont be back, Lopez is a possibility, Gagne wont be back, Snyder is also a possibility, but Tavarez will pitch in a similar role.
There is my 25 man breakdown....not many changes. I think a lot of major things need to be tweeked in order to bring in a big name player like Arod, or allow room for Ellsbury, and Im not sure that will happen....Most of the changes will occur depending on the outcome of the season.