Professional journalists ask questions.

1. How well will J.D. Drew fit in?

If healthy, Drew will be a huge upgrade in RF.  He has very good on-base numbers and is a good defender.  Most importantly, he'll keep Wily Mo on the bench because Drew is not a platoon player like Trot Nixon was.

2. Can David Ortiz take it to yet another level?

What other level?  Here's what Ortiz has averaged over the past three seasons: 47 HR 141 RBI .296 AVG .397 OBP .614 SLG.  Maybe Ortiz can take it up a notch, and become a Gold Glove first baseman or a stolen base threat.

3. Is Manny Ramirez happy?

I'm not worried about Manny.  He is a hitting machine.  Since Manny was put on waivers after the 2003 season (he also reportedly wanted out of Boston in 2005 and 2006), here is what he has averaged: 41 HR 125 RBI .306 AVG .406 OBP .608 SLG.  I don't care about the media reports.  Manny is the anti-Nomar, nothing bothers him.

4. Who will close?

I've made this point before: You don't need a lights out closer anyway.  Look, there are only four really good closers in the AL: Mariano Rivera, Joe Nathan, BJ Ryan, and Francisco Rodriguez.  That's it.  Detroit had a good pen last year and Todd Jones was their closer.  Jones had an ERA of 3.94, but blew the same number of saves as Papelbon. If a team has a good rotation and enough decent arms in the pen, they'll be fine.  If your starters get you into the 6th and 7th inning consistently, you don't need to go to your 4th and 5th options out of the pen. Again, I'm not worried.

5. Does Craig Hansen need more time in the Minors?

I'm not counting on Hansen this year.  If he steps up, great.  Otherwise, the Sox can get by with a combination of Timlin, Donnelly, Hatchet Face, Delcarmen, Okajima, JC Romero, Javy Lopez, or someone else.  To me, what happens to Hansen isn't a very important question.

6. Will the real Coco Crisp step forward?

I think Crisp's hitting will be much better this year, closer to what it was in Cleveland: 15 HR .280-.300 AVG .340-.350 OBP.  He isn't a lead-off hitter, and he is no Johnny Damon.  But Crisp will once again play an OK CF and probably hit well.  In other words, he'll be fine.  If Crisp sucks again, Wily Mo will get a chance to play.

7. Can Josh Beckett make the adjustment?

I have no idea what to expect from Beckett.  In my opinion, he needs another pitch, either a cut fastball, splitter, or a much better change up.  He's stubborn, but he can't be worse than he was in 2006.  That said, if Matsuzaka and Papelbon step in and pitch well and Schilling and Wakefield are healthy, the Sox can live with Beckett as a # 5 starter.  

8. Will the Captain regain his groove?

Tek played hurt most of last season.  I think he can put up numbers along these lines: .250-.265 AVG ..340-350 OBP 12-15 HR.  I said it at the time, locking up an aging catcher for big money was a mistake.  That said, I think he'll have a decent season.  I don't think we'll ever see the Varitek of 2003-2005 again, where he averaged 22 HR 76 RBI .283 AVG .369 OBP .493 SLG.

9. How good will Papelbon be in the rotation?

This is a huge question for the Sox this year.  No, he won't post an 0.92 ERA as a starter (if Pedro couldn't do that, it can't be done).  I think he'll be very good, with an ERA somewhere around 3.50.  For me, the question is durability.  If Paps can't throw at least 180 innings, the Sox may be in trouble.  This year's team will go as far as Matsuzaka and Paps can carry them (you pretty much know what Wake and Schilling bring to the table).  

I'm looking forward to the season ...