Champions have issues
A half-dozen themes, and trouble spots, to watch for in spring training and beyond.
Life after Pedro
He was moody. He adhered to a set of rules all his own. He showed up late to spring training. He left Camden Yards early last Opening Day. He demanded respect, even when he was the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.
But Pedro Martinez was nearly impregnable on the mound. He became increasingly human the last few seasons, yet he still ranked second in the AL in strikeouts last year (227), sixth in innings (217), and ninth in ERA (3.90).
Can Boston's seven-year ace be replaced?
Champagne baths plus Jack Daniels equals quite a hangover
Remember Tim Wakefield's comment at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner in January? The cerebral 38-year-old pitcher said, "I keep telling my wife, `I can't wait for the season to start so I can relax.' "
Don't believe it? Take Johnny Damon's offseason: wedding, endless travel, a book project. Or Curt Schilling's winter: ankle surgery, A-Rod bickering, celebrity poker.
Will the fun catch up with the players, or will it sustain them?
You're not in Missouri any more
Edgar Renteria opted to leave St. Louis to come to baseball's true Show Me State. Renteria has produced in pressure situations before (you might recall that liner up the middle in 1997 that delivered the Marlins a World Series title). But the quiet Colombian with two Gold Gloves and a .289 career average enjoys his space.
"My suggestion," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said last month, "is to give him a little room."
How Renteria and free agent pitcher Matt Clement -- signed for a combined $65.5 million this offseason -- adjust to Boston could dictate how quickly the Sox come together.
Avoid the DL
Wade Miller's rotator cuff. Matt Mantei's clavicle, shoulder, and elbow. David Wells's knee and back. Bill Mueller's knee.
If healthy, Miller has the talent to be a No. 1 starter. If healthy, Mantei is capable of throwing 97 m.p.h. If healthy, Wells can win 15-plus games, compile a sub-4.00 ERA, and pitch 200 innings. If healthy, Mueller is capable of giving the Sox great at-bats, hitting between .280 and .310, and driving in 60-80 runs.
If many more sentences begin with "if healthy," this could be a long season.
Deal-making, or breaking
Damon, Mike Timlin, Alan Embree, Wakefield, Kevin Millar, and Mueller are in the final year of their contracts. Damon will be 31 at season's end. Millar and Mueller will be 34. Embree will be 35. Wakefield and Timlin will be 39.
Ideally, the fact that they are all in their contract year bolsters their performance. Ideally, none breaks down because of age.
Career year or just improvement?
In 2004, David Ortiz set career highs in average (.301, previous best .288), home runs (41, previous best 31), and RBIs (139, previous best 101), among other categories.
Jason Varitek hit .296, 25 points above his career average, at age 32.
Damon hit .304 (career average .287). He drove in 94 runs, compared with 130 the previous two seasons combined. He hit 20 home runs, compared with 26 the previous two seasons combined.
Can those career seasons be replicated?
