Best-case scenario: The Red Sox figure to have a powerhouse rotation, airtight defense and an offense that, despite its alleged warts, should rank in the upper echelon of the majors. Baseball Prospectus projects Boston to win the AL East with 95 wins. It’s easy to see that happening. For everything to break right, players must perform up to expectations, which is a lot to demand of a roster of 25. Fortunately, the Sox have players who not only have produced in the past and expect to continue to produce, but also have the right mindset to succeed in Boston.

Worst-case scenario: As an aging team banking on several returns to prominence by players (Adrian Beltre, David Ortiz) as well as sustained production from players on the wrong side of 30 (John Lackey, Victor Martinez), it’s easy to see things going wrong. Beltre could be finished as a productive hitter. Lackey has a recent history of injury problems. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to see a scenario where injuries and attrition just can’t overcome what is otherwise a truly talented club, setting up another 2006. Boston has a good stable of depth, but if one key player goes down, the cracks will show.