YGY Radio Show State Of The AL East: Boston Red Sox

Mar 20, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman

(15) chases the ball during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at JetBlue Park. The Yankees won 3-2. (Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

We conclude our look inside the AL East on the Yanks Go Yard show with the Boston Red Sox. It is only fitting that we end our series with the team that defined the term “Boston Strong” and took home the World Series title one season ago. For John Farrell‘s squad, he brings back nearly the same group of players from that title team. The theme was from worst to first last year, but now the Red Sox have to deal with the expectations that they should get to the postseason this year with the talent they have on the roster.

General Manager Ben Cherington made some small additions to the roster during the winter. He signed catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a gritty veteran that will take the place of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is now in Miami. He also brought in Edward Mujica from the Cardinals to strengthen an already formidable bullpen. There is a youth movement on this club as Xander Bogaerts takes over the everyday shortstop spot from Stephen Drew, who is still a free agent.

Of course, their former center fielder, Jacoby Ellsbury, is now donning the Yankee pinstripes, but the club has liked what they have seen out of Grady Sizemore as he tries to make a comeback after an injury-plagued career in Cleveland. The addition of Ellsbury to the Yankees should fuel a rivalry that is looking for both teams to be in the thick of the playoff race this season.

On this edition of the Yanks Go Yard Show, I spoke with Paul Prims of BoSox Injection and This Week In Red to get his take on the Red Sox’ season and his thoughts on Boston’s chances at a repeat. Here are the topics that we discussed:

• Thoughts on Ellsbury leaving to join the Yankees
• How does Boston fill the center field spot? (Jackie Bradley Jr, Grady Sizemore)
• Addition of A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate
• Xander Bogaerts‘ first full season in the majors – What do we expect?
• His thoughts on the Stephen Drew situation
•  Will Middlebrooks needing a big 2014
• The versatility of pitcher Brandon Workman
• The one thing that can prevent Boston from repeating
• Over/Under 88 wins for Red Sox?
• Paul’s thoughts on Michael Pineda this spring
• My BOLD prediction in the AL East!

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