Boston Red Sox

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2002 Finish: 93-69, 2nd, AL East, 10 1/2 GB	2002 Payroll: $116,613,337 (2nd)

Projected Lineup CF Johnny Damon 2B Todd Walker SS Nomar Garciaparra LF Manny Ramirez 1B David Ortiz DH Jeremy Giambi 3B Shea Hillenbrand RF Trot Nixon C Jason Varitek Projected Rotation RHP Pedro Martinez RHP Derek Lowe LHP Casey Fossum RHP Tim Wakefield RHP John Burkett CL Alan Embree

By Lonny Krasnow, SI.com

Boy Wonder or Boy Blunder?

Red Sox fans still don't know what to make of Theo Epstein, who became the youngest general manager in baseball history on Nov. 25, 2002.

In his first three months on the job, the only thing Epstein really has demonstrated is his inability to land a major free agent.

First, Epstein failed to pull the trigger on Cliff Floyd-for-Kevin Millwood deal. The Red Sox settled for draft picks when Floyd signed with the New York Mets.

Instead of signing Edgardo Alfonzo or Jeff Kent, Epstein traded for second baseman Todd Walker, now with his fourth team in as many seasons.

Then, as club president Larry Lucchino put it, the "Evil Empire" reared its ugly head. Epstein was outmaneuvered by the Yankees in pursuit of aces Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon. Contreras signed with New York and Colon went to Chicago in a three-way trade between the Expos, White Sox and Yankees.

Blunders aside, Epstein was able to strengthen the Red Sox lineup with second-tier free agents (Jeremy Giambi, Kevin Millar and David Ortiz). He also improved the bullpen (Ramiro Mendoza and Mike Timlin) and bench (Damian Jackson and Bill Mueller).

More importantly, Epstein trimmed $15 million from the payroll, which will allow Boston to add an arm to the rotation midseason and help re-sign Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, free agents after the 2004 season.

OK, maybe he does know what he's doing.

The question keeps arising: Who's on first? Ever since Mo Vaughn left town after the 1998 season, the Sox have been searching. This year's candidates: Ortiz, Giambi, Millar, Shea Hillenbrand and Julio Zuleta.

Expect plenty of infield practice during camp. Shea Hillenbrand made 23 errors and Nomar Garciaparra had 25 last season with 6-foot-7 Tony Clark scooping balls at first base. New second baseman Todd Walker has limited range. None of the first base candidates are accomplished glove men.

Challenging conventional wisdom, the Sox seem set on using a closer by committee. Stat man Bill James, hired as a consultant, swears Alan Embree, Mike Timlin, Bob Howry and Ramiro Mendoza can do the job. Now all manager Grady Little has to do is make it work.

Pedro Martinez reported to camp demanding the Red Sox exercise his $17.5 million option for 2004 or adios after 2003. Now that's Now that's a spring distraction in the making.

Epstein's refusal to include Casey Fossum in a potential deal for Colon denied the Red Sox the deepest rotation in baseball. Fossum, a crafty lefty with a big upside and a small salary, will feel the wrath of Red Sox Nation if he can't hold on to the No. 4 spot in the rotation behind Martinez, Tim Wakefield and Derek Lowe.

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, 24, just kept hitting in 2002, batting over .328 at Class AA Trenton -- including a 27-game hitting streak -- and .301 Class AAA Pawtucket before earning a late season look with the Red Sox. With a strong spring, Sanchez could share time with Walker or back up Garciaparra come April.

Arrivals: 1B/DH David Ortiz (free agent); 1B/OF Kevin Millar (acquired rights from Florida via Japan); 3B Bill Mueller (free agent); 1B/DH Jeremy Giambi (in trade with Philadelphia); 2B Todd Walker (in trade with Cincinnati); RHP Ryan Rupe (on waivers from Tampa Bay); RHP Mike Timlin (free agent), INF Damian Jackson (free agent), INF Cesar Crespo (in trade with San Diego), 1B/C Dave Nilsson (free agent, last played in 1999) and OF Adrian Brown (claimed from Pittsburgh in Rule 5 draft).

Departures: OF Cliff Floyd (free agent, signed with Mets), closer Ugueth Urbina (free agent, signed with Texas), 1B Brian Daubach (non-tendered), 2B Rey Sanchez (non-tendered, signed with New York Mets); RHP Rolando Arrojo (non-tendered, signed with Pittsburgh); RHP Dustin Hermanson and INF Carlos Baerga (non-tendered).

The Red Sox have a nucleus of All-Stars and a deep roster with few holes. How Grady Little manages the bullpen will be the key to improving on last year's 93-win season. The order of finish in the AL East has been the same for the last five years -- Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Devil Rays. Another run at the wild card seems realistic.