Red Sox

By winning the posting of Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox have once again taken control of the sports scene in Boston. And to think, they haven't even signed him yet. Coinciding with the Matsuzaka news is the on-going General Manager's meetings in Naples, Florida. The GM Summit is oft the cause of many hot stove rumors and there are many coming out with interest to Sox fans. The highly talented and injury prone J.D. Drew is supposedly drawing serious interest from the Sox. As is Julio Lugo, a player the Red Sox almost traded for in July. More Manny Ramirez trade rumors. Yawn. Roger Clemens back to Boston? I think I've heard that one before. But as the closer? Now that's a good one. Names of relief pitchers are bouncing around all over the place. Justin Speier and Danys Baez are popular ones being thrown around. Let's just say these rumors become facts. Imagine Drew, Lugo, Clemens and one of the relievers come to the Sox while Manny stays. Add in a few more free agents and this could be the 2007 Red Sox: CF - Coco Crisp SS - Julio Lugo (current FA) DH - David Ortiz LF - Manny Ramirez RF - J.D. Drew (current FA) 1B - Kevin Youkilis C - Jason Varitek 3B - Mike Lowell 2B - Dustin Pedroia Bench - Alex Cora (INF), Wily Mo Pena (OF), David Murphy (OF), Craig Wilson (1B/OF - current FA), Doug Mirabelli (C - current FA) Starting Rotation - Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield (wih Jon Lester hopefully returning) Bullpen - Julian Tavarez, Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen, Mike Timlin, Justin Speier (current FA), Steve Kline (current FA), Roger Clemens (current FA) It's far fetched but that is the beauty of projecting baseball lineups in November -- reality has yet to set in so this is the time to be creative.