An active winter by Boston has left a most rabid Red Sox fan base eager for spring and summer. That's a nice change of pace after the bitter way that last season -- bogged down by injuries and disappointing performances -- ended. The 2007 team, at least on paper, looks loaded.

However, paper doesn't win pennants. The Red Sox think that power pitching does, and they have a lot of it.

Ace Curt Schilling embarks on his final Major League season at the age of 40. The man who will likely take Schilling's place atop the rotation once he retires is Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka.

It took an almost legendary courtship -- not to mention $103.1 million between the bid to the Seibu Lions and Matsuzaka's contract -- to finally make the Japanese righty a property of the Red Sox.

There isn't much falloff, if any, in the rest of the rotation. Josh Beckett, who won 16 games last year despite struggling mightily at times, should be more prepared for life in the American League. Jonathan Papelbon, dominant as a closer, will try to be a similar force in the rotation.

The one constant -- dating all the way back to 1995 -- is veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. He had a rare bout with injuries last year, but he plans on getting back to being the durable innings-eater he's always been.

The arms should get plenty of support from the bats. The Red Sox have a new leadoff man in Julio Lugo, and their fearsome 3-4 combo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez will have additional support in the No. 5 hole, pending a physical, from free-agent acquisition J.D. Drew.

	Season in Preview A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2006 becomes 2007, this is who is projected to take the field for the Red Sox:
	SS	Julio Lugo
	1B	Kevin Youkilis
	DH	David Ortiz
	LF	Manny Ramirez
	RF	J.D. Drew
	3B	Mike Lowell
	C	Jason Varitek
	CF	Coco Crisp
	2B	Dustin Pedroia
	SP	Curt Schilling
	SP	Josh Beckett
	SP	Daisuke Matsuzaka
	SP	Jonathan Papelbon
	SP	Tim Wakefield
	SP	Jon Lester
	CL	TBD
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Coco Crisp and Jason Varitek will try to bounce back from injuries, and rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia hopes to prove he can play every day.

Offseason report card: The Red Sox trumped all of baseball with their stunning $51.1 million bid for Matsuzaka. It was proof of the ownership and front office's commitment to erase the disappointment of 2006. Perhaps, the Sox overspent on Drew, or maybe the five-tool outfielder is finally ready to turn into a star. Lugo should provide spunk and spark at the top of the order. On a scale of 1 to 10, give them a 9, meaning expected to contend.

Arrivals: RHP Matsuzaka (international signing), OF Drew (free agent), SS Lugo (free agent), RHP Brendan Donnelly (trade), LHP J.C. Romero (free agent).

Departures: 2B Mark Loretta (free agent), SS Alex Gonzalez (signed with Reds), OF Gabe Kapler (retired), OF Trot Nixon (free agent), RHP Keith Foulke (free agent).

The road ahead: The one major need general manager Theo Epstein still has to fill is the closer's role. There isn't much out there on the free-agent market, so look for the Sox to get creative with a trade. The Nationals' Chad Cordero is someone the Red Sox reportedly covet.