My fellow fans, today I sit at my computer terminal encouraged by recent organizational changes. As a result of those changes, I have confidence in writing the state of the Boston Red Sox is strong.

The team has built up its defense. Adding centerfielder Covelli Crisp, Alex Gonzalez and numerous pitchers both in the starting corp and in the reserves (bullpen). The Boston Red Sox have also returned a great ambassador of the game to its front office. Theo Epstein's presence brings certain confidence to Red Sox Nation.

But my fellow fans, lots of work lies ahead. It won't be easy, it never is. But Boston's fans are resolute. They have overcomed many adversities in the past and have remained so.

And if, as the Hartford Courant reports, Johnny Damon can find closure, then so to should Red Sox Nation. We must learn from past mistakes in order to succeed in the future.

With Damon in mind, let's compare Boston's troops to the evil-doers and to those foes to the north.

Lineup
Red Sox | Yankees | Blue Jays
1. Crisp | Damon | Rios
2. Loretta | Jeter | Catalanotto
3. Ortiz | A-Rod | Wells
4. Ramirez | Sheffield | Glaus
5. Varitek | Matsui | Overbay
6. Lowell | Giambi | Hillenbrand
7. Nixon | Posada | Zaun
8. Youkilis | Cano | Hill
9. Gonzalez | Williams | Adams

Rotation
1. Schilling | Johnson | Halladay
2. Beckett | Mussina | Burnett
3. Wells | Pavano | Chacin
4. Clement | Wang | Towers
5. Arroyo | Chacon | Lilly
6. Tim Wakefield

Bullpen
1. Foulke | Rivera | BJ Ryan
2. Timlin | Farnsworth | Speier
3. Tavarez | Sturtze | Frasor
4. Seanez | Dotel | Schoeneweis
5. Van Buren | Wright | Houston
6. Hansen | Wilson | Baldwin
7. Riske | Corey | Walker
8. Dinardo | Villone | Chulk
9. Delcarmen | Mendoza | Marcum
10. Papelbon | Bergman | Weber
11. Vermilyea | Leiter | Downs
12. | Myers | Tallet
13. | Small | League
14. | DePaula | McGowan

Now sure there are a number of question marks. You can only have a 25-man roster at the start of the season. Given that, the Red Sox matchup well in the first two categories.

Even if the Boston Herald disagrees, I dare say that this Red Sox team has the potential to produce as many if not more runs than in the past. There are only two noticeable weaknesses (Alex Gonzalez in the ninth spot and Kevin Youkilis in eighth position) However, I expect Youkilis will hit around .280 and hit 15-18 home runs.

One thing is most apparent. Even after all the additions to Boston's pen, it is still not as strong as the other two. The Boston Herald looks at the possibilities.

All the intelligence reports say Keith Foulke is physically able. His mental makeup however remains in doubt. With this situation, Boston has to invest in security measures. Who would take the role if he should fail? Mike Timlin? Julian Tavarez? Craig Hansen? Closer-by-committee?

The first option makes the most sense. However, he did allow a lot of inherited baserunners to score. The Sox will have to check some of Tavarez' baggage. He has had some issues with temper (he once broke his finger during a tentrum) and has been suspended for having a foreign substance in or on his cap.

Craig Hansen is not ready and a closer-by-committee has been tried. Look for the Sox to make an in-season deal if Foulke comes up short.

Another note: Boston's bench is weaker than Toronto's, and in my mind, a bit stronger than the Yankees' believe it or not.

I like JT Snow and Tony Graffanino. But the outfield positions remain most at risk.

The Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas wrote this week that Gabe Kapler remains an option as a backup along with Willie Harris and Dustan Mohr.

I like Kapler a lot. His arm solid. His love of the game is evident and his work ethic is strong. He has to be one of the strongest men on the team. Besides, my sister-in-law once had the opportunity to drive his VW Touareg. However, his injury annd his lack of offense worries me.

Dustan Mohr at one time was supposed to have a breakout season and be a legitimate starter. However, his opportunities have all but passed. He will be a fine fill-in on an emergency basis.

Willie Harris has not played the outfield in over a year. He has played the backup role in Chicago primarily at second. He has some speed, but in today's game, in Fenway's outfield, I hardly see him as an option. Perhaps I'm wrong.

To address these issues, Boston must part ways with some starting pitching, put some resources into its youth in order to prosper this season and in the future.

It looks as though at least for now David Wells will stay on as the only left-handed starter. Although, he made a trade request, according to MLB.com, he is willing to fulfill his contractual obligation.

Evem with that in mind, look for the Sox to continue to look for trades involving Matt Clement or David Wells to sure some outfield and relief depth.

If the season would start today, no longer should Red Sox Nation be intimitated by those in the world that wish us to fail.

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