The Red Sox have some many ??? that I am not certain what to think. There is plenty of potential but will they all play to their abilities and have the team jell?

I like the Coco Crisp trade and think he could fill in where Johnny left off, plus he is younger and cheaper.

Trot Nixon is in a contract year and I hope we see the Trot of 2003 when he had a career year.

The bullpen is a lot better this year, lets see if Foulke has it like he did in 2003/2004.

We are stacked at SP, but there are a lot of unknowns. Is Schill going to be back? Is Beckett going to pitch a whole season? Will Clement melt down? If those are all in the positives I would say we had the second best starting pitching staff in the AL next to the "other" Sox.

All new infield this year. I like Lowell at third, if he hits he could be a huge addition with the Green Monster. Loretta at 2nd is a good pickup, Graffanino is now trade bait. SS is still a question, good defense, bad bat. First is Youk/Snow. Is that an upgrade to Millar/Olerud?? Don't know. However the infield defense should be a lot better than last year and should lower the pitching ERA.

Yeah, a lot of questions.

As for the Yanks they have a great lineup that is aging and a pitching staff with just as many questions as the Sox. They look good on paper but have since 2001. I would pick them first in the AL East. Toronto, good pickups on paper but will it be enough? I have them third. Red Sox are second.

It will all come down to the trading deadline. Who gets what they need for the pennant stretch will be key.

Oh, can someone please take Larry Luchino off our hands...I have never seen a bigger, and easily bruised, ego anywhere.