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I would argue that age is an issue for the Red Sox but they are getting younger. And that it is a bigger issure for the Yankees. Ellsbury and Bucholz join a very talented group of young players (Youklis, Pedroia, Beckett, Lester, Paplebon, Matsuzaka) and their are players in the minor leagues that will contribute somewhere pretty soon.
The seasons that Pedroia and Okigima had last year were not expected. They provided good defense, hit for average, and set the tables as well as sured up the middle reliew. Nobody expected Oki to be that dominant, it was his best year as a professional.
Their offense, though it took a step back last year was balanced and scored the 4th or 5th most runs. Their defense was superb. Their pitching was the best in the American league and second only to the Padres overall. That combination put them ahead of everybody, best team. period.
This year expect Pedroia and Lowell to drop off a little. Expect Manny, Drew and Lugo to pick it up and the overall offense to be better.
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