Beyond that I think John Farrell is going to be challenged early.  There is no Mike Timlin, no Hideki Okajima, no Junichi Tazawa right now.  The good news is I suspect that player exists but whether it is Joe Kelly or Matt Barnes or eventually a Tyler Thornburg or even Carson Smith remains to be seen. 

Ben Taylor.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Little bit of depth help, the Orioles have returned Aneury Tavares (Rule 5 pick) to the Sox. I won't be surprised if he gets a few big league games this year.

I picture Taylor having one of those moments like Okajima earning the save against the Yankees early in the season.

I agree with pretty much all the above. I think Sandoval will be a disaster , bullpen is a worry , not expecting an overly hot start at all but they should be right in this.

Hope everyone has been well , I'll be surprised if I am around much this year. I stupidly decided to triple my work commitments this January .

Take care legends and hopefully no need for a #### me sideways for a while as the red sox keep it stress free.... (yeah right!)

Phil! More Phil is always better than less Phil. Hope the work commitments come with similar increases in income!

Opening Day ceremonies to begin at 1:30.. I will be there that's for damned sure!

Happy almost-opening day Therapudians!

I picture Taylor having one of those moments like Okajima earning the save against the Yankees early in the season.

That really was one of THE key moments in that season, and frankly even felt like it at the time--I vividly recall thinking that as it was happening... "OK, if this pans out, maybe we've found the guy..."

The rotation is a concern. And to be honest I'm not buying Price will be back good as new; I suspect/fear this will be a lost season and bleed into 2018 as well. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

I'm very much looking forward to Benintendi playing a full year.

I shared and continue to share the skepticism about Kelly in any high leverage situation because of the lack of fastball command.

Xander Bogaerts will have higher WAR than Mookie Betts

Well that makes sense, I can see Xander as an 8 WAR SS.

According to the Twitter: Pedroia, Benintendi, Betts, Ramirez, Moreland, Bogaerts, Bradley, Sandoval, Leon. I don't love Moreland before Bogaerts but I suspect the benefit of breaking up the lefties probably has more benefit than the cost of having Moreland batting ahead of X.