Projected batting order Johnny Damon, CF Todd Walker, 2B Nomar Garciaparra, SS Manny Ramirez, LF Kevin Millar, 1B Shea Hillenbrand, 3B Jeremy Giambi, DH Trot Nixon, RF Jason Varitek, C Rotation Pedro Martinez, RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Tim Wakefield, RHP John Burkett, RHP Casey Fossum, LHP Bench Bill Mueller, INF David Ortiz, 1B Doug Mirabelli, C Adrian Brown, OF Lou Merloni, INF Damian Jackson, INF Bullpen Alan Embree, LHP Ramiro Mendoza, RHP Chad Fox, RHP Bobby Howry, RHP Mike Timlin, RHP Robert Person, RHP Frank Castillo, RHP Complete Red Sox roster  ESPN's Take Q: With baseball's youngest GM, can the Red Sox end one of baseball's longest World Series droughts? Having a young GM really doesn't mean a lot. What does is that this organization has been virtually bereft of talent. They are going to score a ton of runs. How they plug the fifth hole in the rotation if John Burkett struggles and how they find a couple of more relievers -- one of whom can strike people out in the seventh inning, the other who can throw innings -- will determine whether they win the wild card ... and they can. -- Peter Gammons Talk about a change of fortune. Kevin Millar played on a Marlins team that couldn't score, then almost went to Japan. Now, he's protecting Manny and Nomar in the order. Millar does hit for average and should reach 20 homers easily, and if he bats fifth for good, there's 100 RBI to boot. Nobody in fantasy likes a closer by committee, but Alan Embree throws hard enough to win this job outright. When all the main closers are gone, take Embree over the normal middle reliever because he's likely to get double-digit saves. -- Eric Karabell Julio Zuleta, 1B Zuleta has opened eyes this spring with solid defense and some pop in his bat -- he's been among the Red Sox leaders in RBI this spring. He'll start the season in Triple-A, but his power potential may lead to a call-up later on.

Manager: Grady Little  Home: Fenway Park (33,871)  '02 record: 93-69  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Jason Varitek Appears to have fully recovered from the serious elbow injury that sidelined him two seasons ago. He hit 20 home runs in 1999, but only 10 last year. Look for his total to fall somewhere in the middle this year. First Base: Kevin Millar Has been swinging a hot bat this spring, after escaping from his contract with a Japanese team and signing with the Red Sox. He's also versatile, and will also likely see time at third or in the outfield. David Ortiz will see some action at first, along with Jeremy Giambi and maybe even Shea Hillenbrand (see below). Second Base: Todd Walker Hit .299 with the Reds last year, and will be a big offensive improvement over Rey Sanchez -- Walker had 56 extra-base hits last year, while Sanchez had only 14. And he's improved his defense over the past couple of seasons. Third Base: Shea Hillenbrand/Bill Mueller Hillenbrand was an All-Star last year, hitting .294 with 18 homers and and 83 RBI. But he cooled off after a hot start, hitting only 10 home runs after Memorial Day -- and he committed 23 errors last season. The Sox have been shopping him even though he's been blistering hot at the plate this spring. If they keep him, he may see more time at first base -- the position he played more in the minors than any other. Mueller is more solid defensively at third, and more patient at the plate. Shortstop: Nomar Garciaparra "Nomah" hit .310 and drove in 120 runs last season, after missing all but a month of the previous year due to injury. He should have another outstanding season, and increase his home-run total (24) from a year ago. Left Field: Manny Ramirez Despite missing six weeks with a hand injury, he won the AL batting title last year and was tops in the league in on-base percentage. And he's looked outstanding down south this spring -- meaning a monster year may be in store. He's even been commended by new GM Theo Epstein for his hustle! Center Field: Johnny Damon Had an excellent first season in Beantown, hitting .286, stealing 31 bases, and playing an excellent center field. He's been hampered by arm injuries this spring, but should be ready to roll on Opening Day. The Red Sox have very little speed in their lineup, so they need Damon to continue to be aggressive on the basepaths. Right Field: Trot Nixon Is a solid player, who hit 24 homers and drove in 94 runs last season. But his average dipped 24 points from the year before, dropping to .256. He worked extremely hard with personal trainers during the offseason, packing on almost 30 pounds of mostly muscle. Look for those power numbers to increase. Designated hitter: Jeremy Giambi Struggled mightily in spring training, but the Red Sox still think he can be successful and love his on-base percentage (.414 last season). He's got power, although not as much as his brother, but if he doesn't produce early he may find himself on the bench more often than not. No. 1 Starter: Pedro Martinez When he's healthy, he's the best pitcher in baseball. He won 20 games last season, and another AL ERA title (2.26) despite more injury problems. It all comes down to his health. No. 2 Starter: Derek Lowe One year after bombing as the Red Sox closer, he emerged as a starting superstar, winning 21 games with a 2.58 ERA. Pitching over 200 innings didn't seem to bother him too much. He didn't have a great spring, but he should be fine -- although last year's performance will be tough to top. No. 3 Starter: Tim Wakefield Prefers to be a starter, and it shows -- last season he went 9-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 15 starts, and finished fourth in the AL ERA race. His knuckleball continued to baffle batters this spring, and he can be relied upon for another solid season. No. 4 Starter: John Burkett Started off last season strong, once he recovered from shoulder tendinitis, winning his first seven decisions. He finished 13-8 with a 4.53 ERA. This could be his final season -- and he may have another career already lined up as he's thrown several perfect 300 bowling games and competed in PBA events. The Red Sox hope he can exhibit as much control of a baseball as he obviously can with a bowling ball. Bullpen: Alan Embree, Ramiro Mendoza, Chad Fox, Bobby Howry, Mike Timlin, Robert Person, Frank Castillo Last season, the Red Sox were the only AL team with a winning record to have a bullpen with a losing record. So, they've made radical changes. Gone is closer Ugueth Urbina. The Red Sox will not have one closer, but will instead go with a closer-by-committee system that will be under intense scrutiny. Embree, a hard-throwing lefty, is the most likely to pick up saves, but he's also the only lefty of the group. And the first three on that list all spent time on the DL last year. Closer: By committee (see above)

-- Kieran Darcy, ESPN The Magazine

Record: 93-69 | Finish: 2nd in AL East | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (AL rank) Defense (AL rank) 859 runs (2nd) Home: 396 runs (8th) Road: 463 (1st tie) 665 runs allowed (3rd) Home: 353 (6th) Road: 312 (1st) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Manny Ramirez, .349 Runs: Johnny Damon, 118 On-base pct: Ramirez, .450 Stolen bases: Damon, 31 Wins: Derek Lowe, 21 Saves: Ugueth Urbina, 40 Home runs: Ramirez, 33 RBI: Nomar Garciaparra Slugging pct.: Ramirez, .647 OPS: Ramirez, 1.097 ERA: Pedro Martinez, 2.26 Strikeouts: Martinez, 239