The Red Sox' biggest signing of the offseason was Curt Schilling - a return, rather than an addition.

Where They Are Coming From

The Red Sox returned to the top of the baseball world in 2007, winning their second World Series title in four seasons, and taking the American League East crown from the Yankees. One year removed from an embarrassing August and September that left them out of the postseason for just the first time since 2003, Boston was in first place virtually the entire season and deserved to win the championship against the Cinderella story team from Colorado.

Boston did not have many lows over the course of the season, stringing together winning streak after winning streak and keep a large gap in the standings between themselves and New York. However, towards the end of the season, the wear and tear of the 162-game schedule got to the young players on the Red Sox, as their lead in the East dwindled to nearly one game, but they were able to hold on in the end.

Players Added

Boston, like always, has been involved in numerous trade rumors along with their rivals, but nothing has yet to come of these talks. The winter meetings came and went without any real blockbuster pulled off, though there have been some serious names dropped over the past few weeks. However, they have not yet added anyone to their major league roster; just resigning current players.

GM Theo Epstein was able to bring back fan favorite and World Series MVP, Mike Lowell with a three-year deal worth $37.5 million. Lowell had a remarkable season using his 81 games at Fenway to the best of his abilities, driving the ball off the Green Monster in left and spraying singles to the enormous right field quirks. Lowell hit .324 with 21 home runs and a team leading 120 RBI in 2007.

Curt Schilling will rejoin the Red Sox for what he is saying will be his last season in baseball. Schilling received a one-year contract with $8 million guaranteed and $2 million in bonuses for six different weigh ins, $3 million in an innings pitched plateau, and $1 million if he gets a vote in the Cy Young balloting. Schilling’s inning pitched incentive will begin at 130 IP and for every 10 innings after that he will receive $375,000 per level. Schilling pitched 151 innings in 2007, going 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 24 starts. His K/BB ratio was 101/23, but he did allow 21 home runs in not that many innings.

Players Lost

Boston has not lost anyone significant to their club yet, as that can change with the rumors of Johan Santana still around the Red Sox organization.

Bobby Kielty is a free agent and is still shopping around, though he is not a necessity to Boston, but will be remembered for his pinch-hit home run in Game 4 of the World Series that ended up being the go-ahead run in the clinching game for the Red Sox.

Éric Gagné also left via free agency, though Red Sox fans would have paid for his flight if given the chance. Gagne was horrendous after coming to Boston at the July 31 trade deadline and did everything in his power to ruin the Red Sox lead in the East as well as Game 2 of the ALCS. Gagne was able to get a World Series ring (an amazing feat for what he provided to the team), though he did not deserve one and cost the Red Sox three young prospects in the process.

Moves Still To Come

I do not think the Red Sox will land Johan Santana or that Santana will move anywhere. However, if he does, it will likely be to the Mets, who have created a serious offer with some worthy potential involved. The Red Sox would have to be out of their mind to give up Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal for Santana, and would only do so to prevent the Yankees from getting the best pitcher in baseball today (though his team’s lack of run support hurt his record). And likewise, the Twins would have to be out of their mind to accept a deal that was based around Coco Crisp and Jon Lester, two average major leaguers for the ace and face of the Twins franchise. Might as well try to win with him in 2008 and let him go to free agency or send him at the deadline for a real package.

What to Watch in Spring Training

The Red Sox had Manny Delcarmen as their seventh inning man at the end of the season, but he proved that he is still inconsistent and unreliable. Look for some serious competition for a reliever to get the ball before Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon with wide open competition. David Ortiz played hurt all last season and Manny Ramirez is getting older, two heroes of Boston who need their rest in order to produce in 2008. In addition, the outfield is crowded with Ramirez, Ellsbury, Crisp, and J.D. Drew. Boston has to move someone and it isn’t going to be Ramirez or Ellsbury and I can’t seem to think another team would pay Drew at $15 million for single digit home runs. The Red Sox roster is not exactly set as of right now, and there could be some drastic changes before pitchers and catchers report next month.