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How sweep it is for the Tampa Bay Rays who took all four games in the series against the slumping Red Sox. The latest victory, a huge slap in the face as John Lackey (1-1) allowed eight runs and nine hits in only 3 1-3 innings. He didn’t get much help from the Boston defense, either, with all three outfielders – Hermida, Hall and J.D. Drew – misplaying a ball into an extra base or making an error early in the game.

“It was an opportunity to do that,” Lackey said of a chance to end the slide. “It obviously wasn’t good.”

Red Sox CF Mike Cameron was a late scratch because he had similar symptoms to last week when he missed two games to pass a kidney stone.

David Ortiz continues to fall going 0-3 and his average sinks to .158. Oh Papi say it isn’t so, will the Red Sox get back to their winning ways? I am sure this is just a bump in the road for the Red Sox, but some thing better change soon.

One bright spot – J. Hermida homered to deep right and also recorded an assist in the field.

Where are all the Red Sox fans now? I think some are hiding in alley ways or buying Yankees memorabilia.

I can probably think of better deals, but a good deal is one that doesn’t come with a huge price tag for a young quality player. Are you still guessing? In my opinion the best deal happened on January 14 when the Florida Marlins signed Josh Johnson for $39MM over 4 years.

Josh Johnson gets $3.75 million this year, $7.75 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in each of the following two seasons. Josh Johnson is regarded as one of baseball’s best young pitchers, he made the All-Star team for the first time last year, when he had a career-best record of 15-5 with an ERA of 3.23 in 209 innings.

Josh eats innings and for any bullpen, that spells relief! Josh Johnson is young (26) on January 31.

You may disagree, but for the price and the fact it’s back loaded, it’s a bargain. The Florida Marlins are known for their off-the-wall fire sales. It’s nice to see them reach in their pockets for a change – no pun intended.

The only good day for Marlin fans is when Josh pitches, because after him they have Ricky Nolasco (13-9, 5.06ERA) and Andrew Miller (3-5, 4.84 ERA). It will be a long season for Marlin fans so sit back and watch the better teams play in Florida during spring training.

The Yankees will be testing Brett Gardner in LF and may acquire a veteran left fielder, while the Red Sox need a LF of their own and some relief pitching.

The Yankees are younger and the Red Sox aged a little with Cameron, but who will make it to the top of the east and capture the AL East crown?

My bet is the World Series Champs, but nothing is guaranteed in baseball, regardless of how much a team spends. Theo Epstein has made some what of a splash this winter and so has Cashman.

In my opinion, I believe both teams are still not done acquiring players. The Yankees have Jermaine Dye on the radar and the Red Sox lost out on Jason Bay who apparently has agreed with the Mets.

Both teams make baseball exciting regardless of the bad blood between fans. If it wasn’t for the Yankees and the Red Sox, baseball would be like the heavyweight division in boxing.

Who do you think will capture the AL East?

I think Theo Epstein needs to bring in another outfielder, but they’re flirting with the luxury tax. The Red Sox, like the Yankees, will need to get a bargain basement OF. I know some Red Sox fans are hoping for a Bay signing, but I don’t think Theo Epstein will pull the trigger on this due to the luxury tax.

The Red Sox are at or near $170mm, currently only $25mm less than the Yanks who have more depth and superstars. However, the Red Sox will have 55M coming off the books after 2010 and this will give them more options as the 2010 free agency market will be rich with superstars.

The Red Sox will have an outfield of Cameron (LF), Ellsbury (CF) and Hermida (RF), which is not that bad, but not great. If I were Theo Epstein, I would leave this outfield as is and concentrate more on the infield. The Red Sox are in need of infield depth at the corners. The Red Sox will probably move Kevin Youkilis to third, and play Casey Kotchman at first. David Ortiz is declining and should be the DH full time.

As far as pitching goes, they could use a little more depth in the bullpen. I doubt the Red Sox are set with their bullpen and I expect they will sign at least 2 more arms by spring training.

Red Sox Opening Day Roster Prediction

1. Ellsbury CF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Victor Martinez C
4. Ortiz DH
5. Youkilis 3B
6. Kotchman 1B
7. Drew RF
8. Scutaro SS
9. Cameron LF

Not a bad lineup and with consistent pitching, they could be playoff bound.

What are your predictions for the Red Sox in 2010?

The Seattle Mariners are no slouch at offense with Ichiro Suzuki, Chone Figgins, Jose Lopez, and Franklin Gutiérrez. They still have the kid Ken Griffey who still has some pop left in his bat. The Mariners finished 85-77 and good for 3rd place in the AL West.

The Seattle Mariners are a much improved team and could even win the division after the Los Angeles Angels had a little fire sale this winter. Los Angeles Angels have lost Chone Figgins to the Mariners and John Lackey to the Red Sox.

I have a strong feeling that the American Wild Card will not come from the beasts of the East.

Prediction

AL East: Yankees (104-58)
AL Central: Twins (90-72)
AL West:  Angels (97-65)
Wild Card: Mariners (95-67)

Red Sox: 2nd in AL East (94-68)

What are your predictions?