Fresh Fenway faces provide promise!

With new additions in place, Sox look for return to glory.


BOSTON -- The Red Sox are a 12-month conversation starter in New England. As soon as a season comes to a close, the team's rabid fan base obsesses by the minute on what could be on the horizon.



With the New Year finally upon us, and acquisitions like John Lackey, Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron in tow, some of the team's key talking points for 2010 are starting to come into focus.

Here is a dissection of 10 key questions that the 2010 Red Sox will face:

Will they hit enough?

The pitching should be stacked and the defense is improved. But will the Red Sox hit enough to contend for a spot in the World Series? One thing that will help is having Victor Martinez for an entire season. However, who will replace Jason Bay's production? Cameron will take on some of it, but certainly not all. This is why it is so crucial for David Ortiz to return to form. Also, the Red Sox could use a more consistent year from J.D. Drew, who has a habit of getting off to quiet starts. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are the two players Boston has had sustained success from the past three seasons. That shouldn't change in 2010. Don't rule out Jacoby Ellsbury taking a big step forward, something that could take the rest of the offense to another level.

Can Big Papi bounce back?

Ortiz isn't likely to regain his 2003-07 form, but that isn't to say he can't be a far more consistent performer than last season. The lefty slugger has had a full winter of workouts and batting practice, unlike last year, when his schedule was modified because of his rehab from a wrist injury. Ortiz would love to silence the critics who think he is headed for a steady decline. Ortiz is also entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, something else that could drive him. For all the talk that the Red Sox could be short a big bat, or a true No. 5 hitter, the resurgence of Ortiz could fix such concerns in a hurry.

Who will be the Opening Day starter?

Manager Terry Francona has three legitimate options in Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Lackey. Beckett started last year's Opener, while Lester had the honor in Game 1 of the Division Series. Lester clearly was the better pitcher down the stretch of 2009, but Beckett was dominant at other points in the year. While Lackey and Lester are both Opening Day-caliber pitchers, Francona could well go to Beckett because he has been the leader of the staff the past couple of years.

Where will Scutaro hit?

The shortstop proved last year in Toronto that he can be a productive leadoff man. That said, the Red Sox have Ellsbury, which means Scutaro is more likely to hit ninth. But if the lineup stumbles early, don't be surprised if Scutaro is given a chance to hit near the top, perhaps in the No. 2 hole, with Pedroia batting third.

How will Jonathan Papelbon come back from the ALDS Game 3 meltdown?

Perhaps the pain of that moment will drive Papelbon back to the level he was at in 2007 and large portions of '08, when he was nearly untouchable. Sure, Papelbon's overall numbers were impressive last season, but it was far more of a labor than in other years. His control wasn't the same and he had to get out of sticky rallies far too often. It finally bit him in that Game 3 against the Angels, when he couldn't escape trouble. For whatever reason, Papelbon lost the feel for his splitter in 2009. If he can get that back, that would be key. He threw nothing but fastballs in the infamous Division Series outing.

What will Lackey's biggest challenge be in his first season?

To block out the temptation to live up to his contract with every pitch. This type of mentality has caused free agents in big markets to struggle out of the gate many times before. If Lackey can somehow convince himself to just stay within himself and take a tunnel-vision approach, he should be fine. Mental toughness has long been a strength of Lackey's. Look no further than what he did as a rookie in the 2002 World Series. The adrenaline of Fenway could help propel Lackey to a career year.

Will Dice-K take a big step forward?

In year No. 4 with the Red Sox, perhaps Daisuke Matsuzaka will at last pitch like the hyped sensation he was coming out of Japan. It took a while, but Dice-K is now fully on board with Boston's training program. He even took the initiative to go to the Athletes Performance Institute this winter. Matsuzaka pitched well in September, but never got a chance to pitch in Boston's short-lived postseason run. With the added strength and lighter frame, Matsuzaka seems poised for a big year.

How will Mike Lowell handle his return after a potential trade to the Rangers was nixed for medical reasons?

Like the professional he has always been. Remember, Lowell has been in this situation before. Last winter, the Red Sox were poised to sign Mark Teixeira, which would have meant Lowell was on the way out. When the Yankees swooped in for Teixeira, Lowell stayed put in Boston and again was a key part of the team. Again, Lowell will focus on getting healthy. The right thumb surgery shouldn't have any lingering effects.

And now that he is more than a year removed from hip surgery, Lowell could regain some mobility. There's always a chance trade talks could resurface once Lowell has a chance to prove himself in exhibition games. But that could also depend on whether the Red Sox add any other corner infielders this winter.

Who will show the most improvement?

Look for Buchholz to be a force from the outset and build on the strides he took in the second half of last year. Nobody has ever questioned Buchholz's stuff. Now he has knowledge to go with it, and the confidence he gained with a strong performance in the postseason. This should be the first season he will spend entirely in the Major Leagues.

What role will Jed Lowrie play?

Assuming Lowrie's left wrist holds up, he could become a vital player off the bench. Keep in mind that he is a switch-hitter with outstanding plate discipline, and the ability to play three infield spots at an above-average level.