Can happy news last?

The morning after the Red Sox won the World Series again (!), I wrote this to a couple of friends:

How sweet it is.

“You’re growing up at a time when the Red Sox winning seems normal,” I said to my daughter this morning. She just rolled her eyes. But there has been a sea change that will become more obvious as kids grow up, replacing the old dread and fear that we have felt for years in varying degrees.

As a naturalized citizen of Red Sox nation, I’ve felt less dread than native citizens, and 2004 cured me. I think 2007 will cure a lot more people of the anhedonic expectation that the Sox are going to break our hearts every year.

Current 40-man roster is here.

I’d keep Lowell if possible. Does the job, not a prima donna. He’ll be expensive after this year but not as expensive as A-Rod, since he’s the AL MVP. I just don’t see a clubhouse fit for A-Rod, even though I’d love to have 150 RBIs. Still, I would guess that Lowell may not stay – unless he’s smart enough to overrule his agent and stay with a winning franchise.

I think Schilling’s through here. The possible competitors for the starting rotation next year:

• Beckett
• Matsuzaka
• Lester
• Clement
• Wakefield
• Buchholz
• Schilling

I think Schilling falls off this list due to expense and the need to bring the young pitchers along. Clement is a big question mark, however, and if he’s not recovering well, Schilling is a possibility. I’m a fan of Wakefield because he eats up innings and saves the staff. He’s a little scary in the postseason, but I think he’s worth it.

The bullpen competition shapes up as:

• Papelbon
• Okajima
• Delcarmen
• Snyder (spot starter again, too)
• Hansen (could compete for a starting job, too)
• Donnelly
• Gagne (many fans will have a heart attack, but this acquisition is going to work)
• Timlin (probably odd man out at his age, but his postseason gives him a little opportunity)
• Tavarez (really, I doubt this, despite his yeoman work in the spring)

Pick twelve! Here’s my guess:

1. Beckett
2. Matsuzaka
3. Buchholz
4. Clement
5. Wakefield
6. Lester
7. Papelbon
8. Okajima
9. Delcarmen
10. Gagne
11. Hansen
12. Donnelly
    

Any of the last three could get bumped, as could Clement.

Among position players, Mirabelli is gone. The Sox may invite him to camp, but Kevin Cash is Wakefield’s next catcher. He may not be the catcher of the future since he’s already 30, but he’s the bridge to whoever comes up next.

The infield is set with the exception of third, depending on what Lowell finds in the free agent market. If the Yankees buy him, we’ll just have to rationalize that he’ll never again have a year like 2007. Of course, Lugo has been weak, but I’d give him another year – or half anyway. I really miss Orlando Cabrera. Subs, whatever. Hinske’s gone – surely there’s someone cheap, young, and better. Cora could stay or go.

The outfield really depends on who wants who. Crisp and Drew are available for trade, I would think. Manny’s contract is still too big to move anywhere but New York. If the Yankees really want him badly enough to take all of his contract, I might reconsider A-Rod to replace those RBIs. Of course, he’d need to let Dustin Pedroia kick his ass to get into this club.

Ellsbury should get 500+ at bats in 2008, which ought to be exciting.

Will Dave Magadan get offered a manager’s job?

Of course, events have immediately outpaced my opinion. I don't care that Schilling's a Republican; if he wants just one year at moderate money, keeping him would be a good idea. The Sox picked up their option on Tavarez. That's a good short money move, but he's still not guaranteed a spot on the 25-man major league roster come April. Also, I had not been aware that Clement could file for free agency, and he did.

Oh, and in the outfield, I don't see Drew as movable, so I guess Crisp has to go. Coco never got it going here, but I like his playing style as a complement to the big boppers. Still, he had two years to prove his offense, and he never did.