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By KEVIN THOMAS
MaineToday Media, Inc. 02/10/2008

MaineToday Media, Inc.

They are coming. The pitchers and catchers. Spring training. Baseball.

Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers will report Thursday to Fort Myers, Fla. It is the annual, eagerly awaited sign that baseball is on the way.

Makes you want to unzip the parka a few inches. Super Bowl? What Super Bowl?

It is Red Sox time. And Boston begins 2008 with high expectations. This is not only based on hope but accomplishment. These Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. And they did something the 2004 champions failed to do.

These Sox stayed together for the most part.

In 2005, the Red Sox began the defense of their title without pitchers Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera. In 2008, Boston returns every regular, almost every starter and every key relief pitcher. It appeared the entire starting rotation was returning until Curt Schilling's shoulder problemst.

Already gone are ineffective reliever Eric Gagne and utility player Eric Hinske.

Conversely, without major depletions, the Red Sox didn't make any headline acquisitions. Their biggest signing so far was announced Tuesday -- backup first baseman Sean Casey to replace Hinske.

That's it.

Recent spring trainings have featured stories on the newcomers -- J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo and Daisuke Matsuzaka last year; Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Coco Crisp and Alex Gonzalez in 2006; David Wells, Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria in 2005; Schilling and Keith Foulke ... you get the point.

General manager Theo Epstein likes the hand he holds. He re-signed five free agents -- third baseman Lowell, pitchers Schilling and Mike Timlin, backup catcher Doug Mirabelli and utility outfielder Bobby Kielty to a minor-league deal. And even with Schilling apparently out, Boston could be OK if right-hander Clay Buchholz produces.

Epstein resisted the temptation to give up bundles of prospects and cash for pitcher Johan Santana.

So with the personnel similar, what can you look for in the Red Sox this spring training?

Glad you asked. We have 10 questions of our own.

1. CAN TIM WAKEFIELD KEEP ON KEEPING ON? When we last heard from Wakefield, he was explaining why he couldn't pitch in the World Series -- because of inflammation behind his right shoulder. He missed the first round of the playoffs for the same reason.

Wakefield, 41, also missed part of the 2006 season with back and rib cage injuries. Yes, Wakefield 'only' has to throw a knuckleball. But folks, it's harder than it looks, and Wakefield's durability is definitely a question mark.

2. HOW WILL CLAY BUCHHOLZ FARE? The initial question was where Buchholz would fit in. But with Schilling on the shelf, Buchholz appears ready to slide into the rotation.

Buchholz, the 23-year-old with a no-hitter already under his belt, is still developing. He will be monitored carefully and could be a force in the playoffs.

3. IS DAISUKE MATSUZAKA'S ADJUSTMENT OVER? There will be lots of talk how Matsuzaka, after a whirlwind rookie year, will be more comfortable in his second season in the U.S. But it's fair to say batters have also had a look at him. The surprise factor is gone.

Matsuzaka must do what Beckett did from 2006 to 2007 -- trust his stuff and throw strikes. No more silly talk of gyroballs. The key for Dice-K is Strike One.

4. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE CATCHING? Everybody loves Jason Varitek, the captain. But Varitek turns 36 in April and he still will be asked to catch four out of every five games because his backup is 37-year-old Doug Mirabelli, who batted .202 last year.

It's safe to say the Red Sox would have preferred to get a steadier backup. They did re-sign No. 3 catcher Kevin Cash to a minor-league contract, and he likely will go to Pawtucket with George Kottaras and Dusty Brown. If Brown, 25, the Sea Dogs' regular the past two years, tears up Pawtucket, he could be an option. And yes, he can catch a knuckleball.

5. WILL COCO CRISP ACCEPT A BACK-UP ROLE? The wonder kid, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, has made Crisp a forgettable player, or at least, trade bait. But don't forget that while Crisp hit a so-so .268, he also played the best center field in the American League.

A switch hitter with speed, Crisp would make a great fourth outfielder, although an expensive one at $4.75 million. Crisp handled his benching in the playoffs with class, but would he handle such a role for a whole season? Look for a trade, or a lot of talk about Crisp getting his share of playing time.

6. WHO REPLACES GAGNE IN THE BULLPEN? Maybe no one. Boston already returns seven relievers -- Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Timlin, Julian Tavarez, Javier Lopez and Kyle Snyder.

Tavarez, who was left off the playoff roster, is a valuable long man. Bullpen roles can come and go. Remember J.C. Romero, Joel Pineiro and Brendan Donnelly last year? Boston is bringing a boatload of relievers to camp, including 40-man roster guys Bryan Corey (1.93 ERA in nine games),

Craig Hansen (who the Red Sox are hoping finally gets it), Devern Hansack, Edgar Martinez, Kyle Jackson and the recently acquired David Aardsma. Plus, there are about seven other relievers on minor-league contracts.

7. FOUR OR FIVE OUTFIELDERS? If Crisp stays, Kielty either becomes the fifth outfielder or goes to Pawtucket.

It's more complicated this year because while Casey replaced Hinske as the backup first baseman, he cannot play the outfield like Hinske. If the Red Sox put Kielty on the major-league roster, they have an extra player and will have to reduce the bullpen from seven to six pitchers. If Kielty is sent to the minors, then there is no real backup for J.D. Drew in right. Neither Crisp nor Ellsbury have a very strong arm for right field, although there's something to be said for their speed.

Two scenarios will result in only four outfielders -- if Crisp is traded or if Kielty is sent to Pawtucket with the idea of calling him up if needed. Brandon Moss also remains an option.

8. IS JUSTIN MASTERSON GOING TO PITCH IN BOSTON THIS YEAR? Careful. Papelbon, Lester and Buchholz have spoiled fans into thinking that every big pitching prospect coming through Portland is going to make it.

Masterson, who turns 23 next month, was 4-3 (4.34 ERA) in 10 starts with the Sea Dogs last year. He still has some kinks to work out. But if Masterson gets that sinker as nasty as he's capable of, the Red Sox may have to call him up, even if it's in the bullpen.

9. HOW ABOUT JED LOWRIE? Funny what a year does. Lowrie, a middle infielder, struggled with injuries and a .262 average in Class A in 2006. Last year Lowrie batted .297 in Portland and finished with a .300 clip in 40 games with Pawtucket. He's back to being a big prospect.

Unless there's an injury, Lowrie likely will stay in Pawtucket all year, with a possible September call-up.

Shortstop Julio Lugo has three years left on his contract and his play could determine Lowrie's future with Boston.

10. WILL THERE BE A LETDOWN? The last team to repeat as World Series champion was the New York Yankees (actually a three-peat, from 1998-2000). The Red Sox may falter but it would not be because of a letdown. It just does not seem likely with this bunch.

The roster is filled with young guys still hungry, and older players who understand that this is a special team, capable of winning again.

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