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Brad Penny is looking for a comeback season with the Red Sox after battling a shoulder injury with the Dodgers.

Boston Red Sox Roster

Player, age: comment

STARTING PITCHERS

Josh Beckett, 28: The ace is coming off an injury-plagued 12-10 season.

Jon Lester, 24: Was 16-6 last year and is expected to keep getting better.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, 28: Averaged less than six innings a start, but was 18-3.

Tim Wakefield, 42: Erratic as his knuckleball. Was 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA

Brad Penny, 30: Went 6-9 and had shoulder woes. Won 32 games previous two years.

John Smoltz (DL), 41: Could become vital down the stretch and in playoffs.

 

RELIEF PITCHERS

Jonathan Papelbon, 28: Closer could mix in more sliders with fastballs.

Ramon Ramirez, 27: His acquisition makes for a deep bullpen.

Hideki Okajima, 33: Still reliable, but not the team's only choice in the eighth.

Takashi Saito, 39: Gives Boston a closer-quality reliever in set-up role.

Justin Masterson, 24: Heading into first full season, with dynamite sinker.

Manny Delcarmen, 27: Still has plus fastball and curve.

Javier Lopez, 31: The lefty specialist compiled a 2.43 ERA last year.

 

CATCHERS

Jason Varitek, 36: Turns 37 this week, and must turn around his .220 average.

George Kottaras, 25: With Varitek catching less, the backup has a key role.

 

INFIELDERS

Kevin Youkilis, 30: Would like to repeat his 29 homers and .390 OBP.

Dustin Pedroia, 25: Reigning MVP after .326 average, 118 runs and 54 doubles.

Mike Lowell, 35: His absence was felt in last year's playoff after hip injury.

Jed Lowrie, 24: Recovered from injured wrist and hit .349 in the spring.

Nick Green, 29: Filling in as utility man until Julio Lugo comes back.

David Ortiz, 33: With a healthy wrist, should improve on 23 home runs.

Julio Lugo (DL), 33: Should return this month from knee surgery. Does he start?

 

OUTFIELDERS

Jason Bay, 30: Adapted well to Boston (.293, nine homers) after July 31 trade.

Jacoby Ellsbury, 24: Looking for consistency after .280 average (only .336 OBP).

J.D. Drew, 33: Showed he can be dominant in spurts, when he's healthy.

Rocco Baldelli, 27: If healthy, he becomes a steal for the Red Sox.

Chris Carter, 26: Hit .343 in spring and hangs around until Mark Kotsay returns.

Mark Kotsay (DL), 33: Due back in May. Valuable backup, also at first base.

– Kevin Thomas

 

It may be the most economically diverse neighborhood in baseball – the American League East.

You have the filthy rich, the very rich and the thrifty.

And in 2008, the penny-pinchers proved to be best.

The Tampa Bay Rays, with their $44 million payroll, won the division (97-65) and then persisted in the playoffs, besting Boston ($133 million payroll) in seven games to win the pennant.

The very rich Red Sox had to be content with a solid season (95-67) as their bid for a third World Series appearance in five years fell short.

The filthy rich New York Yankees ($209 million) were denied a playoff berth (89-73).

In the offseason, when teams went shopping for improvements, these three continued their spending habits.

Tampa Bay went right back to the bargain shops for cheap help, although they did give $7 million to Pat Burrell, an outfielder/designated hitter.

Boston took a peek at some expensive goods (Mark Teixeira), but eventually ventured into the outlet stores, looking for top talent at a discounted price. They picked up a couple starting pitchers, Brad Penny and John Smoltz, for about $10.5 million, and a veteran reliever, Takashi Saito, for $1.5 million.

The New York Yankees, as is their custom, drove straight to the high-end boutiques, buying the most expensive items on the shelf. Their two new starting pitchers, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, will cost a combined $39.5 million. Add in another $20 million for the new first baseman, Teixeira.

So, how do all three teams look?

Better.

But who is the best?

TAMPA BAY

What they lost: The Rays let part-time outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Cliff Floyd and reliever Trever Miller leave for free agency, and traded starter Edwin Jackson to the Tigers.

What they needed: The Rays ranked eighth in the league in runs and certainly could use some more punch. Tampa Bay also looked for relievers.

What they got: Burrell (33 homers last year), outfielder Matt Joyce (in the Jackson trade), and a group of free-agent relievers, including Jason Isringhausen, Brian Shouse and Joe Nelson (Sea Dogs, '04).

In summary: The Rays should be better than last year, with a proven starting rotation and solid relievers, and the return of almost the entire lineup, including their emerging superstar at third base, Evan Longoria.

Fun fact: Two of the Rays' best players, first baseman Carlos Pena and catcher Dioner Navarro, were once properties of the Red Sox and Yankees, respectively.

BOSTON

What they lost: Reliever Mike Timlin retired. Fifth starter Paul Byrd semi-retired. Utility infielder Alex Cora signed with the Mets, and fourth outfielder Coco Crisp was traded to the Royals.

What they needed: Although Boston had the fourth-best ERA (4.28) in the AL, the Red Sox needed more reliable starting pitching, and a deeper bullpen. And the July trade of slugger Manny Ramirez left a gap.

What they got: Penny, Smoltz, Saito, Baldelli and reliever Ramon Ramirez (in the Crisp trade).

In summary: Boston looks fine, assuming good health. Injuries to ace Josh Beckett, designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Mike Lowell weakened the Sox last year. The pitching additions provide a deep staff, which includes the possible re-emergence of Clay Buchholz. There's no replacement for Manny, but a stacked lineup (Dustin Pedroia, Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Jason Bay and Lowell) should help.

Fun fact: The roster has 11 former Sea Dogs – Kevin Youkilis, Pedroia, Jed Lowrie, Jacoby Ellsbury, George Kottaras, Beckett, Penny, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson.

NEW YORK

What they lost: Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu were let go. Starting pitcher Mike Mussina retired.

What they needed: New York posted the eighth-best ERA (4.49)...