How Good is this Red Sox team?

Late in 2012 I wondered what direction the Red Sox would go? Would they totally rebuild? Sign top tier free-agents? Or rebuild while trying to be competitive. They choose option number three.

Signing outfielder Shane Victorino to a three-year $36 million deal. Pitcher Ryan Dempster to a two-year $26.5 million contract. Along with Mike Napoli, who got a incentive laden one-year deal. Those were the three big signings, they also signed Stephen Drew who will be the starting shortstop. All of these players are in their mid to late thirties, except Drew who is 29. None of them are in the prime of their career anymore, but they are still quality players.

With none of the deals being long term the Sox' are bridging the cap until their top prospects are ready. Shortstop Xander Boegarts (20) looks to be the next big thing to hit Fenway. He hits for power, average and runs the bases very well. Look for him to join the Sox' in the middle of the year, if they are competing for a playoff spot, just like the Orioles did with their prized prospect Manny Machado (20) last year.

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (22) looks set to roam the outfield in 2014 for the Sox. Depending if the Red Sox decide to re-sign Jacoby Ellsbury after this season will dictate what position Bradley will play. 

Having to unload massive contracts that they had given out to Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett, not to many people believed they would make a substantial offer to a free-agent. It seems as they have a direction that they are headed in, which hasn't been the case in recent years. 

I want to believe this team can make the playoffs and even compete for a World Series, but that would be being a little naive. This team has some great players, but they are all getting up their in age. They have Dustin Pedroia, Will Middlebrooks and Ellsbury to lean on as their young players, but they have core players that have been injured the past couple seasons. David Ortiz, Clay Buchholz and even Ellsbury have missed a chunk of time. They really need to avoid the injury bug if they want to compete.

An 85 win team is where they will probably end up. But, that total can go up or down with how this team meshes and how well the pitching staff pitches. If they have a year like last, that total will be in the 70's. 

The team seems to be more likable and should give maximum effort every night which is a blessing for Sox' fans. Just as a fan don't set your expectations too high, realize they have a plan, and enjoy the ride.