35-year old lefty swinging David “Big Papi” Ortiz will be back as the starting DH for the Red Sox in 2011. He had a slow start last season but as the weather heated up, so did he. Ortiz played in 145 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 140 of 518 (.270 avg, .899 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 32 homers and 102 RBIs. Those numbers are pretty impressive when you consider that he didn’t have much protection in the batting order due to injuries. Ortiz has averaged 95.0 runs scored, 36.4 homers and 116.5 RBIs per year during his 8 years with the Red Sox. I think Ortiz is going to have another good season in the middle of a very potent Red Sox’ offense in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RED SOX DH IN 2011: B+

Due to the arrival of Adrian Gonzalez, 31-year old righty swinging Kevin Youkilis will be moving to 3B for the Red Sox in 2011. Youkilis played in 102 games last season for the Red Sox before his season was cut short to a thumb injury and he was 111 of 362 (.307 avg, .975 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 19 homers, 62 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. From 2006-2009, Youkilis averaged 93.8 runs scored, 21.3 homers and 91.0 RBIs per year so those are the kinds of numbers the Red Sox will be expecting out of him in 2011. But, he was on pace to eclipse those numbers in 2011, so don’t be surprised if he hits over .300 with 100+ RBIs in 2011. Youkilis only played in 2 error-free games and 3B and he showed good range there. Youkilis was solid at 1B, but he’s a natural 3B so I have a feeling that he will be a better than average defensive 3B in 2011 for the Red Sox.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RED SOX 3B IN 2011: A

35-year old righty swinging shortstop is going to have to hold off 26-year old switch hitting Jed Lowrie this spring for his starting shortstop gig. Scutaro played in 150 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 174 of 632 (.275 avg, .721 OPS) with 92 runs scored, 11 homers, 56 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Scutaro should put up better numbers in 2011 due to the Red Sox’ improved lineup. Scutaro had 18 errors in 132 games at shortstop last season and he showed pretty awful range. Scutaro has to hit to be an asset for the Red Sox due to his issues with a mitt on his hand.

26-year old switch hitting Jed Lowrie really played well for the Red Sox last season as he was finally healthy. Lowrie played in 55 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 49 of 171 (.287 avg, .907 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 9 homers, 24 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The power might have been a mirage but Lowrie is a solid hitter. He made 1 error in 23 games at SS last season but he showed awful range too, just like Scutaro. Lowrie could bump Scutaro to the bench at some point in 2011.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RED SOX SS IN 2011: C+

The Boston Red Sox really couldn’t recover from the loss of Dustin Pedroia last season. When he injured his foot, the heart and soul of the Red Sox seemed to be missing. Pedroia played in 75 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 87 of 302 (.288 avg, .860 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 12 homers, 41 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. In his previous three years before 2010, Pedroia averaged 106.3 runs scored, 13.3 homers, 68.3 RBIs and 15.7 stolen bases per season. The Red Sox hope that a return to health will get Pedroia back to being his usual productive self. He only made 3 errors in 75 games at 2B last season while showing good range as he is a very solid defender. I love watching Pedroia play because he’s a gamer who is not ever afraid to get dirty.

26-year old switch hitting Jed Lowrie will likely backup Pedroia in 2011. He played in 28 games at 2B for the Red Sox last season and he made 3 errors while showing outstanding range. He is a natural shortstop. If Lowrie somehow beats out 35-year old righty swinging Marco Scutaro at SS, then Scutaro would be the backup 2B. Scutaro played in 16 games at 2B last season for the Red Sox and he made 2 errors while showing terrible range.

31-year old righty swinging Hector Luna is a longshot to make the Red Sox. He played in 27 games for the Marlins last season and he was 4 for 29 (.138 avg, .513 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Luna also played in 97 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 104 of 354 (.294 avg, .845 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 16 homers, 71 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Luna played 1 error-free game at 2B for the Marlins last year. Luna can also play SS, 3B and the corner outfield slots so he could make the team, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RED SOX 2B IN 2011: A

The Boston Red Sox have designated 26-year old righty reliever/starter Robert Coello for assignment. Coello pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox last season and he was 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He also pitched in 32 games (13 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last season and he was 7-6 with 1 save, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Red Sox hope Coello clears waivers because they like him a little bit.

UPDATE: (2/15/2011) - The Red Sox have dealt Robert Coello to the Chicago Cubs for 24-year old righty swinging 2B Tony Thomas. Thomas played in 116 games in AA-ball last season and he was 111 of 402 (.276 avg, .823 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 11 homers, 73 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He has now played in 405 games in his first 4 years in the minors and he is 395 of 1,471 (.269 avg, .779 OPS) with 246 runs scored, 34 homers, 196 RBIs and 78 stolen bases. Thomas will likely start the 2011 season in AAA-ball for the Red Sox.