Going into the off season, all fans of all teams probably had their own set of priorities regarding what they would like to see their team accomplish. I’m sure each of us had one position or player that we saw as a “must have” item.

     I’m looking for responses here, so I’ll offer a few questions. I’ll give my answers as they relate to the Red Sox, but please feel free to answer for your team. I’d honestly like to hear other viewpoints so that we can all become a little more educated across the league as opposed to keeping our focus solely on our hometown guys.

Q: Did your team address the “need” you saw as being the highest priority?

A: As a Red Sox fan, I’d have to say no. Going into this off season I had hopes of the team picking up a viable catcher for the future. That hasn’t happened yet.
 
    
Q: Are you happy with the acquisitions your team did make?

A: Yes and No. I like the majority of the signings the Red Sox made with one exception. Brad Penny. It’s not that Penny is so awful that I cringe having him on our team, he’s not. I do however, think we could have done better for his spot in our rotation. This is a highly debatable opinion, but I thought at a minimum we could have taken a flyer on Ben Sheets instead. At a maximum, I wouldn’t have minded A.J. Burnett. In my opinion, Both Sheets and Burnett have a higher upside then Penny if they are healthy. Health is the big factor here. I can only assume that the Red Sox saw less of a risk with Penny then they did with Sheets. Too bad, because I think the pay off  (if there was going to be one) would have been much higher with Sheets than it will be with Penny.

Q: Are there any pieces to your team that you think should still be added? If so, who would you like to see fill those/that vacancy?
  
A: Yes there are a few.
     1). The obvious one for the Red Sox is the full time catchers position. While the team does have enough bodies to fill that spot, the best available option in my opinion remains unsigned. It should come as no surprise that Jason Varitek is the guy I feel should fill that role this year.
     2). I know I could be labeled as a greedy SOB, but I would still like to see the Red Sox add another starting pitcher. Yes, I’m talking about Ben Sheets. He just fits the profile on how the Red Sox do things too well. He can be had at a low cost and carries with him a potentially huge upside. With Wakefield, Smoltz and Penny all looking to be counted on this season, I’d like to have a Ben Sheets as insurance as opposed to a minor leaguer that may not work out.
     3). Much further down on my list is our utility infielder. I had hopes of replacing Julio Lugo with another player that might give Jed Lowrie more room to breathe. What I mean by that is, he wouldn’t be competing for his starting SS position on a daily basis. Julio Lugo’s 9 million dollar contract sitting on the bench, may tempt the powers that be to play him more often then I would personally like.  A return of Alex Cora to the backup IF spot because of his defense, would have been a good choice in my opinion.

Q: Looking at your team right now….as it’s presently structured, do you feel you have the players and personnel to be a contender in your division?

A: Without a doubt. Yes I do. It’s not as clear cut as say an Angels fan might look at their
current position and competition, but absolutely, I think the Red Sox will be in the mix. The teams competition for an AL East title is greater in my opinion then teams in the Central or the previously mentioned West might be, but considering what we have, Yes we’re definitely a player.