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Fenway Spenders

2006 Record: 86-76, 3rd in AL East
Spring Training Home: City of Palms Park – Fort Myers, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: February 28 vs. Twins

For the first time since 1997, the Red Sox finished in something other than second place in the AL East, and, unfortunately, the move out of the runner-up spot wasn't upwards. In an effort to get back to the World Series level of 2005, the Sox were aggressive on the free agent market. They made the biggest splash by paying $51.1 million simply for the rights to talk to Japanese hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka, and they eventually signed him to a $52 million deal. The Sox also shored up sore spots by signing outfielder J.D. Drew and shortstop Julio Lugo and bolstering their bullpen. However, their ultimate success in 2007 may depend more on a few of their in-house talents bouncing back after down seasons.

Key Additions: Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP), J.D. Drew (OF), Julio Lugo (SS), Brendan Donnelly (RP), Joel Pineiro (RP/SP), J.C. Romero (RP), Hideki Okajima (RP), Alex Cora (IF), Runelvys Hernandez (SP)

Key Losses: Mark Loretta (2B), Alex Gonzalez (SS), Trot Nixon (OF), Keith Foulke (RP), Gabe Kapler (OF)

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