1. 99% of the 2007 Championship squad will be back for the 2008 campaign
The Red Sox have the right mix of talent, experience and depth that enable them to win in a number of ways: Power (Ramirez, Ortiz, Lowell), small ball (Pedroia, Cora, Youkilis, Lugo) and speed (Ellsbury, Lugo, Crisp). A 20-game winner in Beckett, two 15-game winners in Matsuzaka and Wakefield and a good mix of young talent and experience on the back end with Lester, Buchholz, Tavarez and Colon. They have the best closer in the game (Papelbon) and a solid bullpen with Okajima, Timlin, Delcarmen and Snyder. Oh, and a coach with two World Series rings…
Curt Schilling is the only missing piece and recent reports say the Sox are now considering surgery in an effort to get him healthy for the home stretch
