Now that I have your attention, here’s why:

Pitching:

Sox have it this year. Going into the regular season, they have six quality starters (Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Bucholz). The addition of Lackey means the Sox will have three starting pitchers who are all capable of being #1 pitchers on most teams in the majors. Matsuzaka will recover from his terrible year and be a strong ‘addition’ for 2010.

Sox will also have a strong bull pen (Papelbon, Byrd, Okajima, Ramirez (x2),  Delcarmen).  Byrd will come into his own this year and could be the closer if the Sox lose Papelbon (this year or next year).

Additionally, there are good youngsters waiting in the wings in case of injuries (including but not limited to Bowden, Bonser, Kelly, Tazawa, and Fien).

Hitting:

I’ve read all about how ‘wanting’ the Sox will be this year with the loss of Bay and his 35 HRs, the decline of Ortiz, and the overall lack of a one-two punch they had when Manny and David hit back to back.

Don’t believe it. 

Ortiz’s second half hitting last year will continue (check out those statistics --about equal to MVP A-Rod’s for the second half of the season). 

Youk and Pedroia will provide their consistent hitting. Drew seems healthier than last year, and Ellsbury is improving every year.  Beltre should benefit from moving to Fenway from Safeco, and Cameron is no slouch. Scutaro is a patient hitter, can get on base, and can run.

And if injuries and/or Ortiz cut into the Sox hitting, I suspect Theo will move quickly to get Adrian Gonzales (or someone else) sooner rather than later, even if it means he has to give up some of his young talent.

Fielding: This is the best fielding team the Sox have had in many years, maybe the best all around fielding team in the majors this year. The additions of Beltre, Scutaro, and Cameron will make a decent fielding team into one that will be a pleasure to watch.

The biggest weakness is probably Martinez’s inability to throw out runners, but he will do better than Varitek did.  Plus, I understand the Sox pitchers are working on holding runners closer this year.

Other Factors:  The Sox have an excellent fourth outfielder in Jeremy Hermedia who will allow Drew some rest and can more than adequately fill in when some one is hurt. The utility infielder will probably be Bill Hall; tho it is possible that Jed Lowrie could be healthy and finally live up to his ‘promise.’.

Terry Francona has won 95 games ever since he came to the Sox, I believe, and Dave Magadan (hitting), John Farrell (pitching), and Gary Tuck (bullpen) are pros and the envy of almost every other team.

Theo Epstein and the rest of the front office are now a well oiled machine and will be able to adjust to whatever injuries, weaknesses, and problems arise during the year, plus they have the backing and confidence of the ownership

Definitely a Division win and a 100 game win season for the Sox, the most complete, best balanced team they’ve had in a decade.

(written 3/2/10 at 9 AM after a good nite’s sleep and under the influence of only good coffee)

What say you?

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