This is such a tough call that I would likely pass on making a bet on this one. The Red Sox won 95 games last season but it appears that the Yankees have really improved and the Rays will likely be a thorn in the Red Sox side again in 2009. With those factors in mind I would suggest not betting either way and just keeping your money in your pocket.

49-year old Terry Francona is back to lead the way for the Red Sox in 2009. The Red Sox were 95-67 (58.6%) last season finishing 2nd to the Rays in the A.L. East. Of course, the Rays were the team that also ended the Red Sox season in 2008. Francona has managed 5 seasons in Boston and he has a record of 470-340 (58.0%) with a average division finish of 2nd place. The Red Sox won both the American League Pennant and the World Series in 2004 and 2007 under Francona making him a legend already in Boston. He has now managed 9 seasons in his career in the majors compiling a 755-703 record (51.8%) with a average division finish of 2.9.

The Red Sox will probably trot out 33-year old lefty swinging J.D. Drew and 27-year old righty swinging Rocco Baldelli for the most part in RF in 2009. Drew played in 109 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 103 for 368 (.280 avg, .927 OPS) with 79 runs scored, 19 homers, 64 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Drew showed poor range in 106 games in RF for the Red Sox last season while showing poor range. The Red Sox just can’t bank on Drew staying healthy in 2009.

Rocco Baldelli proved last September and October that he still has some game left. The Red Sox are hoping that Baldelli can give them a couple of hundred good at bats in 2009. Baldelli played in 28 games for the Rays last season and he was 21 for 80 (.263 avg, .819 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Baldelli has played in 447 games in his major league career and he has a batting average of .281 with a .770 OPS. Baldelli only played in 6 games in RF last season for the Rays showing poor range there while making a error. Baldelli will likely be solid on defense in RF as he is a natural CF.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

25-year old lefty swinging Jacoby Ellsbury will be the full time CF in 2009 with Coco Crisp playing in Kansas City this season. Ellsbury played in 145 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 155 for 554 (.280 avg, .730 OPS) with 98 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 50 stolen bases which led the American League. Look for Ellsbury to be more relaxed when batting knowing that he will be playing in CF every day instead of moving around the outfield. Ellsbury didn’t make any errors in 66 games in CF last season while showing outstanding range.

33-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay will back up Ellsbury in 2009. Kotsay played in 110 games for the Braves and Red Sox last season in which he was 111 for 402 (.276 avg, .732 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 6 homers and 49 RBIs. Kotsay didn’t make any errors in 84 games in center field last season but he showed poor range likely due to his barking back.

29-year old lefty swinging Jonathan Van Every is likely third in line for playing time in CF in 2009. Van Every played in 11 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 4 for 17 (.235 avg, .631 OPS) with 5 RBIs. He also played in 119 games in AAA-ball in which he was 100 for 380 (.263 avg, .884 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 26 homers, 70 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.

29-year old righty swinging Chip Ambres is also around for depth reasons. He played in 24 games for the Padres last season and he was 8 for 41 (.195 avg, .533 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 1 stolen base. Ambres also played in 112 games in AAA-ball in which he was 115 for 412 (.279 avg, .907 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 22 homers, 77 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

The Red Sox need 30-year old righty swinging Jason Bay to tear it up again with the bat in 2009 to make up for the loss of Manny Ramirez. Bay played in 155 games for the Pirates and Red Sox last season and he was 165 for 577 (.286 avg, .895 OPS) with 111 runs scored, 31 homers, 101 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. It appears that Bay likes American League pitching better than N.L. pitching so he should have another good season in 2009. Bay is not that good of a left fielder defensively as he made 4 errors in 154 games in LF last season while showing poor range.

26-year old lefty swinging Chris Carter will likely back up Bay in LF this season. Carter 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. Carter also played in 121 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 141 for 470 (.300 avg, .871 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 24 homers and 81 RBIs. He’s not likely to be a good defender in LF as he is a natural first baseman.

28-year old lefty swinging Paul McAnulty will likely start the season in AAA for the Red Sox. He played in 66 games for the Padres last season and he was 28 for 135 (.207 avg, .682 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. McAnulty didn’t make any errors in 35 games in LF last season while showing poor range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-