Like many Boston fans, I too am a little concerned about what seems to be a lack of movement in filling the gaping holes up the middle (center and short).

However, I'm not quite ready to give up as I have previously written. Yes, 2007 looks like it will be a tremendous year for the Sox, but 2006 ain't so bad either.

The question marks and rumors linger (though none recently). At the moment, the Sox seem content with the team they have. They certainly are not going to be bullied into a deal that forfeits the future. And they are not panicking.

Watching "Red Sox Now", you'd think the team was in every way a contender for the title. Terry Francona has stated recently that he is not knocking on the front office door pleading to make a deal. He has faith the brass will do its best to put a good, if not great, team on the field. He is above all patient.

As a result, those teams who once thought they had the Sox over a barrel are probably rethinking some.

Are the Sox really prepared to enter the season with Adam Stern and Alex Cora? Probably not.

Adam Stern is speedy, no doubt, but he lacks the hitting ability especially at the leadoff spot - a position he will be forced to take, if the season were to start today.

Alex Cora doesn't offer too much offensively or defensively, but he may be a brilliant teacher for a young guy like Dustin Pedroia.

But amid the uncertainly, lies some positives. All the additions to the team, have been class acts. Manny aside, there are no prima donnas.

J.T. Snow, Mark Loretta, Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett and catcher John Flaherty are all class acts. Add those molecules to Big Papi and Tek and the team's chemical core, though still in a test tube, is strong.

The Eagle Tribune mentions one more stand-up guy who may be a solid role player - Ken Huckaby. Any guy who is hated by Yankee fans should at least get a long look.

The Sox believe that winning will come with strong pitching in the rotation and bullpen. And they have addressed those needs.

Of the bullpen staff, newcomers Julian Tavarez and Guillermo Mota are most interesting. Both were asked to fill the closer's role at some point last year. There is no lack of experience. Mike Timlin will also return, providing more security should Keith Foulke fail.

Curt Schilling is looking slimer, stronger. If he can regain ankle strength the AL East should look out. If he is healthy, the team has an excess of starting pitchers and will move David Wells (can you say L.A.?) and either Matt Clement (can you say Cleveland?) or Bronson Arroyo (although with a multi-year deal in the works, it is less likely Arroyo will be moved).
The signing of Tavarez also makes Matt DelCarmen available in deals (Can you say Devil Rays?) (Correction: I must have had a brain cramp; it's obviously Manny Delcarmen).

Foxsports.com takes a look at some of the rumors and what the Sox options are. I've discussed many of these in the past and for the most part agree with their accessment, though I do not want to see the likes of Jon Papelbon, Jon Lester or Andy Marte in any deal.

Sports Central's Eric Mauss says not to underestimate the 2006 Red Sox.

So although there appears to be a lull in conversations, let's take the time to ponder what we've gained not lost.

I know Yankee fans are. .

To those fans, I have but one question to ask: What team suffered the worst defeat in SPORTS history? (Hint: 2004 playoffs)

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