Can the Red Sox Win Another World Series in 2008?

Red Sox Nation is waiting in anticipation for the 2008 MLB season with the hopes of seeing back to back championships, and their prospects look great. No one knows what the season holds, but we can consider a few important things that give the Red Sox an excellent chance of going to the post season again at the very least. After all, the off season was busy, especially with the entire steroids controversy heating up after the Mitchell report was issued. The good news is that during the off-season, the Red Sox managed to keep most of the 2007's World Series winning team intact.

Their pitching rotation, and their infield and outfield are basically the same. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is back, and Doug Mirabelli, the Sox backup pitcher, finalized a one year deal to stick around. Big bats Ramirez and Ortiz will be back too.

One of the biggest things that stops any team from making it to the playoffs - whether its baseball, football, basketball, etc. - is the loss of players that helped hold the team together.

Missing team leaders can make a team lose their passion and emotion. You lose that; you will lose games. And that's what happened to the Red Sox after their 2004 World Series win; they lost a number of their important players like Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera. Plus, when you replace players, the coaches and staff has to spend their time teaching the new players how their club specifically plays the game.

One reason why key Boston players Mike Lowell and Curt Schilling stuck around for less money and fewer contractual years is because they know that the team has an excellent chance of winning back-to-back World Series.

The outfielders will be same in '08 as well. This is the last year of Manny's $160 million contract, but he may stay past this year, especially if he has a good season.

The Red Sox outfield in 2008 will consist of superstar Manny Ramirez in left field, J.D. Drew in right field, and either Ellsbury or Crisp in center field. Both Ellsbury and Crisp are still on the roster, so that may create a healthy competition between the two for center field. A team needs more than three men for the outfield to make it to the playoffs anyway. Crisp underperformed last year, and Ellsbury became a playoff hero last year, but both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Consistency is big part of the game. The season is very long, and stamina and consistency is what gets teams to the playoffs.

Fortunately, Boston's pitching rotation looks like it is going to be very similar to last year's. Beckett, Schilling, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Lester or Bucholz is a powerhouse lineup.

The first half of the Red Sox season looks only mildly challenging. Based on the player's statistics and track records alone, the Red Sox look like they ought to win the '08 World Series if the line-up doesn't change, at least on paper. But once again, these guys have to play with heart and be consistent.

Injuries, illnesses, and bannings because of steroids notwithstanding, the Boston Red Sox have a good chance at going all the way once again. The team is strong and although some players have filed for arbitration in order to increase their salaries, there doesn't seem to be any indication that they will leave the team. The Yankees are still aimlessly drifting in an effort to finish filling their roster.

There are also negotiations still in the works regarding Johan Santana, a possible addition to the Red Sox's final roster. Once again, only time will tell. But the two time Cy Young Award winner would definitely make an impact on the team. The Boston Red Sox need to snatch him up before the Yankees or the Mets.

The Red Sox have an excellent chance of winning back to back championships, and it's theirs to lose. If the Red Sox can play with heart, consistency, stamina and stay reasonably healthy, I expect to see them winning in October again.