34-year old lefty swinging J.D. Drew is a solid player but he is very injury prone. The Red Sox would be ecstatic if he could play in more than 140 games in 2010 but they know that isn’t too realistic. Drew played in 137 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 126 of 452 (.279 avg, .914 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 24 homers and 68 RBIs. Drew made 2 errors in 131 games in RF last season while showing average range. Drew had 5 assists from RF last season showing a decent throwing arm. Drew is good when he plays but the Red Sox made sure that they had a backup plan ready to go for 2010.

26-year old lefty swinging Jeremy Hermida was brought in during the winter in a trade with the Marlins. Hermida played in 129 games for the Marlins last season and he was 111 of 429 (.259 avg, .740 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 13 homers, 47 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Hermida didn’t make any errors in 81 games in RF for the Marlins last season while showing average range. He also had 3 assists last season for the Marlins as he really improved his defense in 2009. Hermida was once one of the brightest prospects in all of baseball and maybe a change of scenery will jumpstart his career.

30-year old righty swinging Bill Hall will also likely get some P.T. in RF for the Red Sox in 2010. Hall played in 15 error-free games in RF last season while showing out of this world range. He also had 2 assists in RF last season showing that he has the arm to handle the position.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR RF IN 2010: B

The Red Sox signed 37-year old righty swinging Mike Cameron to take over for Jacoby Ellsbury in 2010 in CF with Ellsbury moving to LF. Cameron played in 149 games for the Brewers last season and he was 136 of 544 (.250 avg, .795 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 24 homers, 70 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Cameron had 4 errors in 147 games in CF last season while showing good range. He also had 4 assists from CF last season as he showed a decent throwing arm. What you see is what you get with Cameron as he will likley hit around .250 with 20+ homers while playing solid defense.

26-year old Jacoby Ellsbury will be the backup in CF in case something happens to Cameron. Ellsbury played in 153 games in CF for the Red Sox last season and he made 2 errors while showing below average range. But, he did have 5 assists from CF showing he has a nice throwing arm.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: B

With Mike Cameron on board for the 2010 season the Red Sox have decided to shift 26-year old lefty swinging Jacoby Ellsbury to LF. Ellsbury played in 153 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 188 of 624 (.301 avg, .770 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 8 homers, 60 RBIs and 70 stolen bases. Ellsbury might even steal more bases in 2010 as the Red Sox won’t have as much power in the lineup. Ellsbury should be a fine LF defensively. He played in 153 games in CF for the Red Sox last season and he made 2 errors while showing below average range. But, he did have 5 assists flashing a strong throwing arm.

26-year old lefty swinging Jeremy Hermida is a natural RF but he will likely be the #4 outfielder for the Red Sox in 2010 likely getting some P.T. in LF. Hermida only made 1 error in 51 games in LF last season for the Marlins but he showed poor range.

30-year old righty swinging Bill Hall will also get some P.T. in the outfield in 2010 for the Red Sox. He played in 100 games for the Brewers & Mariners last season in which he was 67 of 334 (.201 avg, .596 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 8 homers, 36 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Hall made 1 error in 22 games in LF last season while showing good range and he also had 1 assist there.

23-year old lefty swinging Josh Reddick is the Red Sox #3 rated prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. He played in 27 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 10 of 59 (.169 avg, .549 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Reddick also played in 81 games in AA+AAA ball last season in which he was 80 for 327 (.245 avg, .763 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 13 homers, 35 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Reddick played in 12 error-free games in LF last season while showing good range for the Red Sox.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE LF IN 2010: A-

34-year old lefty swinging DH David Ortiz put up decent overall numbers last season but he was awful in the first half before finishing strong. Ortiz played in 150 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 129 for 541 (.238 avg, .794 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 28 homers and 99 RBIs. Ortiz has been incredible in his career with the Red Sox as he has averaged 96.3 runs scored, 37 homers and 118.6 RBIs in his 7 years with them. In 996 games with the Red Sox Ortiz has a .288 batting average with a .967 OPS. Don’t expect Ortiz to put up his usual season with the Red Sox in 2010 as he appears to be a player starting to slide a bit. Ortiz only hit .212 against lefty pitchers with a .716 OPS in 165 at bats against them last season. If he continues to have problems against lefties and if Mike Lowell is still on the team the Red Sox might start platooning at DH. Lowell hit .301 with a .866 OPS against lefties last season in 143 at bats against them.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DH IN 2010: B

The Red Sox have brought in 30-year old righty swinging Adrian Beltre to play 3B for them in 2010. He is coming off a bad year for him as he played in 111 games for the Mariners in which he was 119 for 449 (.265 avg, .683 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 8 homers, 44 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The Red Sox are hoping that Beltre his numbers offensively rebound to his career norms of a .270 avg, with a .778 OPS. Beltre was brought in by the Red Sox more for his mitt than his bat. He made 14 errors in 111 games at 3B for the Mariners last season while showing out of this world range.

35-year old righty swinging Mike Lowell is still on the Red Sox as of right now. He will likely back up at 1B and 3B for the Red Sox in 2010 if they don’t trade him first. A deal fell through with the Rangers over the winter because Lowell needed surgery on his thumb. If he looks healthy in spring training the Red Sox will likely attempt to deal him again. Lowell played in 119 games for the Red Sox last season and he was 129 for 445 (.290 avg, .811 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 17 homers and 75 RBIs. Lowell made 9 errors in 107 games at 3B for the Red Sox last season while showing slightly below average range.

30-year old righty swinging Bill Hall will also likely get some playing time at 3B for the Red Sox in 2010. Hall played in 110 games for the Mariners and Brewers last season and he was 67 for 334 (.201 avg, .596 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 8 homers and 36 RBIs. The Red Sox are hoping that Hall can hit his career norms of .251 with a .750 OPS in 2010 as he is a much better hitter than he showed last season. Hall is a good defensive 3B as he only made 4 errors in 69 games there last season while showing good range.

30-year old righty swinging Kevin Youkilis will focus on playing 1B in 2010 but he can handle playing 3B if the Red Sox need him to. Youkilis played in 63 games at 3B for the Red Sox last season while making only 4 errors and showing good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: B