Josh Beckett: For Better or Worse 2009

When we look back at the last two seasons, comparing the World Series title and the ALCS loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, you could make the argument that a healthy Josh Beckett at the top of the Red Sox rotation was the difference between the World Series in 2007 and coming up just short in 2008.

While health definitely played a roll in Beckett’s performance in the post-season last year and limited his overall performance during the regular season, any reports or concerns over a Josh Beckett regression are simply overstated.

Middlebrooks out with Torn Hamstring

According to a report on SoxProspects.com, third base prospect Will Middlebrooks suffered a torn hamstring during drills this past weekend and will be out until May, or possibly longer. Will was projected to start at Class-A Greenville where he’d split time between third base and DH with fellow top prospect Michael Almanzar.

How dependent are we on Mike Lowell?

Mike Lowell is prepared to hit the field and play in a game in two weeks, he reported yesterday. Although he hasn’t suffered any setbacks with his right hip, he also hasn’t been running the bases yet, which could make or break his progress.

It’s very possible, although no noise has been made about it, that Lowell could suffer a setback which would either a) postpone his regular season debut or (worst case) b) knock his 2009 season out entirely.

Should Lowell not be able to start on Opening Day, this means Julio Lugo would start at shortstop with Jed Lowrie manning third base. There’s a problem with this, however.

No big ifs, and no buts about it.

Following is a ‘cut and paste’ of the big “ifs” in the latest “Mazz” piece . . . or was it Ryan? Whoever, he predicted success “if” the following happens”.