25-year old righty swinging 2B Dustin Pedroia brings it every night and that’s part of the reason he was the MVP of the American League last season. Can he do it again? I wouldn’t bet against him because he will likely be getting on base a lot again in 2009 which means he should score a ton of runs. Pedroia played in 157 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 213 for 653 (.326 avg, .869 OPS) with 118 runs scored, 17 homers, 83 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Pedroia played in 157 games at 2B last season for the Red Sox and he only made 6 errors, but, his range was slightly below average. He can improve in that area and probably will this season due to his work ethic.

29-year old righty swinging 1B Kevin Youkilis had a breakout season for the Red Sox in 2008 and they hope he can repeat it in 2009. Youkilis played in 145 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 168 for 538 (.312 avg, .959 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 29 homers and 115 RBIs. He also played very well on defense at first base as he only made 4 errors in 126 games there. The Red Sox need to keep Youkilis at 1B because of his defense which is much better than when he plays third base. Of course, that will all depend on Mike Lowell staying healthy in 2009.

30-year old righty swinging Jeff Bailey had a solid year in AAA last season playing in 109 games in which he was 126 for 418 (.301 avg., .967 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 25 homers, 75 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Bailey also played in 27 games for the Red Sox last season in which he was 14 for 50 (.280 avg, .850 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs.

26-year old lefty swinging Chris Carter would probably get his big chance if either Mike Lowell or Kevin Youkilis is injured in 2009. He played in 121 games in AAA-ball last year in which he was 141 for 470 (.300 avg, .871 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 24 homers and 81 RBIs. Carter also played in 9 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 6 for 18 (.333 avg, .733 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

It will be very interesting to see how the catcher position pans out for the Red Sox in 2009. Jason Varitek started to fade last season and the Red Sox brought back Josh Bard for a second go around as Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher. The 35-year old switch hitting Varitek played in 131 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 93 for 423 (.220 avg, .672 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 13 homers and 43 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if Varitek rebounds with the bat as he has a career batting average of .263 with a .785 OPS in 1,330 career games. Varitek only threw out 13 of 69 (19%) basestealers last season but Red Sox pitchers had a 3.66 ERA with him behind the plate. If the team captain continues to falter with the bat in his hands in 2009 look for Josh Bard’s playing time to increase.

30-year old switch hitting Josh Bard is back for a second time in his career. The first time resulted in Bard getting traded to the Padres for Doug Mirabelli because he couldn’t handle Wakefield’s knuckler. Bard played in 57 games for the Padres last season and he was 36 for 178 (.202 avg, .549 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer and 16 RBIs. Bard is a much better hitter than that however as he has a career batting average of .265 with a .728 OPS in 431 career major league games. Bard only threw out 9 of 62 (15%) basestealers last season and Padres’ pitchers had a 4.26 ERA with him behind the plate.

25-year old lefty swinging George Kottaras will be the starter at AAA unless Varitek or Bard is injured. He played in 3 games with the Red Sox last season and he was 1 for 5 (.200 avg, .600 OPS) with 1 run scored. He also played in 107 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 96 for 395 (.243 avg, .804 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 22 homers and 65 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

Instead of spending all of their funds on one or two big time players the Red Sox went looking for bargains and they found some. The Red Sox re-signed Jason Varitek and they will team him with Josh Bard behind the plate. The Red Sox re-signed Mark Kotsay also but his back is still barking and required surgery which will cause him to miss at least the first month of the 2009 season. The Red Sox also have signed Rocco Baldelli and Brad Wilkerson who will both be coming off of the bench for the Red Sox in 2009 and that’s a good thing as they are both talented ball players. John Smoltz and Brad Penny have been signed to incentive laden deals and the Red Sox will have steals in both of them if they can stay healthy. Righties Ramon Ramirez, Wes Littleton and Randor Bierd were all brought in by the Red Sox in trades. But, Takashi Saito was signed as a free agent and he’s big time as long as he can stay in one piece.

OFF SEASON GRADE FOR THE RED SOX: B

The Red Sox have outrighted 30-year old righty swinging 1B Jeff Bailey. He played in 27 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 14 for 50 (.280 avg, .850 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Bailey has now played in 30 games for the Red Sox and he is 15 for 59 (.254 avg, .811 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. Bailey cleared waivers and the Red Sox have invited him to spring training.