What to Expect in 2010

On this last day of 2009, I would like to look ahead, both at how the Red Sox appear to be shaping up for the coming season and what's in store for this Red Sox 1027 blog.

First, the 2010 Red Sox. I like the adjustments they've made this off-season and anticipate a terrific season for them. They've strengthened their starting rotation (and thus overall pitching) immensely, simply with one addition; they've strengthened their defense with two terrific veteran players; and, despite much of the discussions about a "lack of offense or power," in particular in losing Jason Bay, they still appear to have quite a productive lineup. While it is pretty much expected that the top four in the lineup will be Ellsbury, Pedroia, Martinez and Youkilis, here's another take on it, if Terry Francona is in a tinkering mood:

Ellsbury - Scutaro - Martinez - Youkilis - Ortiz - Pedroia - Drew - Cameron - Kotchmann

That would give them a left-right rotation throughout the entire lineup! They also have the flexibility to stack the lineup with lefties or righties depending on the matchup. For instance, if a particular right-handed pitcher has particularly difficult times against lefties, they can go:

Ellsbury - Pedroia - Martinez - Youkilis - Ortiz - Drew - Kotchmann - Hermida - Scutaro

And similarly against left-handers:

Ellsbury - Scutaro - Martinez - Youkilis - Pedroia - Ortiz - Cameron - Drew - Lowell

I do like these possibilities!

Second, what to expect from this blog in 2010. In addition to regular musings as appropriate, the blog will also feature regular columns:

Tuesday's Trivia - This column started a few weeks ago and will continue through the New Year, asking a Red Sox trivia question each Tuesday and providing the answer the following day.
Wednesday's Wish List - With an emphasis on the blog regarding my Red Sox baseball card collection, this column will allow readers to see gaps in my collection and possibly offer trades to help fill their own gaps.

Wednesday's Wish List - Here I will present my wish lists to fill in the considerable gaps in my Red Sox collection.

Friday's Favorite - Each Friday, for the 52 of them in 2010, I will feature my favorite Topps Red Sox card from the last 52 years, beginning with one from 1957 - that, coincindentally, was the first year Topps settled on a consistent-sized set, and all subsequent ones have kept to that size (sure making it easier to fill those 9-sleeve sheets)

Happy New Year!