They're Reigning Supreme

Boston Red Sox 2007 Record: 96-66 (1st in AL East - World Series Champions)
2008 Prediction: 1st in AL East

Due to a shoulder injury, pitcher Curt Schilling will miss at least the first half of the 2008 season.

In

• Mike Lowell (BOS) - re-signed to a 3 year, $37.5 million contract - 11/19/07
  
• Curt Schilling (BOS) - re-signed to a 1 year, $8 million contract - 11/6/07
  
• Mike Timlin (BOS) - re-signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract- 12/7/07
  
• Julian Tavarez (BOS) - 2008 $3.85 million club option exercised - 11/2/07
  
• Doug Mirabelli (BOS) - re-signed to a 1 year, $550,000 contract - 1/6/08
  
• Tim Wakefield (BOS) - 2008 $4 million club option exercised - 11/2/07
  
• Sean Casey (DET) - signed to a 1 year, $800,000 contract - 2/5/08
• Bobby Kielty (BOS) - re-signed to a 1 year, $800,000 contract - 2/6/08
  

Out

• Matt Clement (STL) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract with a $8.75 million club option for 2009 - 1/3/08
  
• Eric Gagne (MIL) - signed to a 1 year, $10 million contract - 12/10/07
• Eric Hinske (TAM) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/7/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Jason Varitek
1B - Kevin Youkilis
2B - Dustin Pedroia
3B - Mike Lowell
SS - Julio Lugo
LF - Manny Ramirez
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury/Coco Crisp
RF - J.D. Drew
DH - David Ortiz

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Josh Beckett
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Tim Wakefield
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz

Projected Opening Day Closer
Jonathan Papelbon

Improvements: This is sort of pointless - these Sox don't need improving. If they get Santana, he could be viewed as an improvement, I suppose. But an improvement to what? A pitching staff that had the best ERA in the league in 2007? It's tough to improve on that, and almost not worth it.
Lack of improvement: Again, the Red Sox don't really need improving, so they haven't lacked improving any part of their team. Their bullpen is already solid, with Manny Delarmen and Kyle Snyder leading up to the late inning guys - Mike Timlin, Javier Lopez, Hideki Okajima and, of course, closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Keys to success: For the Sox to succeed in 2008, they need to play with the same dedication and fire that they had in 2007. Manager Terry Francona has a very cool, calm, and collected personality. You hardly see him worry (and why would he with this team?). This team is stacked from top to bottom, and another World Series appearance is far from unlikely.