9. The depth of the rotation
The Red Sox have more pitching than any team in baseball at the moment, but
they still have some concerns. Tim Wakefield will be 43 next month and has
had some physical problems late in the last two seasons. John Smoltz is 42
and, in effect, still rehabilitating. Daisuke Matsuzaka (pictured) is on the disabled
list and Brad Penny can put strain on the bullpen. Obviously, the presence
of a healthy Jon Lester and Josh Beckett is an enormous blessing and should
keep the Red Sox out of long losing streaks. Assuming he is not traded,
Clay Buchholz offers an additional option. But there is some potential for
some instability here beyond the top two starters, a problem that most
every team in baseball deals with. This year, the Red Sox really haven't.


