2016 MLB season: AL East preview
By Jason Parker
Boston Red Sox
In 2015, the Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East. So what did the front office do? They opened their wallets and signed maybe the biggest free agent going this offseason, left-handed ace David Price.
Projected rotation
LHP David Price
RHP Clay Buchholz
RHP Rick Porcello
RHP Joe Kelly
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Price, who continues his tour of the AL East (having previously played for both Tampa Bay and Toronto), combines with Buchholz and Kelly to give Boston a three-man pitching staff for the offseason that rivals the best in baseball.
Projected lineup
RF Mookie Betts
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH David Ortiz
SS Xander Bogaerts
1B Hanley Ramirez
3B Pablo Sandoval
LF Rusney Castillo
C Blake Swihart
CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
It will be an emotional season for Red Sox fans as Ortiz, the lovable DH who played a key role Boston’s three World Series titles since 2004, is playing his final season before retiring. If the Red Sox can stay healthy and players like Pedroia, Ramirez and Sandoval put up the numbers everyone knows they are capable of, the regular season should be a tune up for a postseason run that could end with another World Series victory parade through the streets of Boston.
Projected record: 98-64
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