Good evaluation. I do think there is one flaw though. Adam Dunn could play first base, if needed. There would be room for him if the Sox wanted to go in that direction. They could sign Dunn to play first, dump Lowell and slot Youk at 3B. He hasn't played first much, but they could make it work.
I think Crisp is moved for a reliever and Ellsbury is handed the CF job.
I would not be surprised to see Chris Carter as the every-day first baseman in 2008, if he does well when the rosters expand. As much as I like Lowell, I don't really see him back with the team.
Schilling is history IMO. I don't think Wake hangs 'em up either so with one more year of Wake, hopefully Masterson/Bowden will be ready by '09. I also think Kottaras is called up midseason to handle backup catching duties and spell Varitek before becoming the full time catcher in '09.
My tentative '08 opening day defense+rotation (bench and bullpen will probably change too much to predict)
:
C Varitek
1B Carter
2B Pedroia
SS Lugo
3B Youkilis
LF Ramirez
CF Ellsbury
RF Drew
DH Ortiz
1. Beckett
2. Matsuzaka
3. Buchholz
4. Wakefield
5. Lester
What I HOPE it is:
C Varitek
1B Youkilis
2B Pedroia
3B A-Rod
SS Lugo
LF Manny
CF Ellsbury
RF Drew
DH Ortiz
Same rotation.
It's going to be a very similar team. But, hopefully, with guys like Pedroia, Matsuzaka, Buchholz and Lester improving and guys like Lugo and Drew having inevitably better seasons, it will be better.