Addition by subtraction. The Sox have lost nothing with the departures of Tek, Lackey, Drew, and Wakefield. These players were aweful on the field and offered nothing in the clubhouse in 2011. Surpassing Lackey and Wakes contributions in '11 will be Charington's easiest task.
I, for one, have high hopes for 2012 because....
1) Valentine will treat Spring training with more urgency than Tito and the Sox should hit the ground running instead of Tito's "easing" into the season. The Sox went 2-9 before their first back to back wins
2) The Sept collapse was historic....7-20....and unlikely repeatable.
Just playing .500 ball during these two time periods turns a combined 9-29 into 19-19....+10 wins.
Of course, expecting the Sox to go on win streaks like they had in late April-mid June can't be counted on either.
Players with upside potential from 2012...
1) Lester
2) Buchholtz
3) Crawford
4) Youk
5) Salty
I'm even adding
6) Gonzalez......he became a singles hitter for a big stretch concentrating on RBIs....then petered out down the stretch. The guy was great in 2011...but I foresee better power numbers
Unlikely to match 2011 #s
1) Ellsbury....can he be brilliant 2 in a row
2) Papi.....I still believe he is 57 years old
Bottomline....this team is very good, but had injury and focus issues. I see no reason for the Sox not to be a 95 win club. Will that be enough....that Tampa starting rotation is scary good and will be a huge problem for the entire AL
