TIME TO MOVE FORWARD!

Ok, the Red Sox didn't get Johan Santana. He's headed to the New York Mets for record money. But that's a distraction that is out of the way now and Red Sox Nation can finally start to marry themselves to the 2008 version of the team. And it's a team to be excited about.

With Santana now traded and signed to a fatty contract extension in New York, Boston's starting rotation is all but set in stone. Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and Jon Lester will make up the starting five. Clay Buchholz will step in for spot duty and in case of injury, but most likely starts the year in AAA Pawtucket. Beckett is coming off of his best year in the majors finishing with a 20-7 record with a 3.27 era. He finished second in the balloting for the American League Cy Young award. Matsuzaka was up and down for most of the 2007 season, but finished with 15 wins despite a 4.40 era. His second turn in the American League figures to be more effective giving the Red Sox a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Losing out on Santana does not leave the Red Sox with a noticable hole in their five-man rotation.

The Red Sox did not change much this off-season. And Red Sox Nation appears to be happy about that fact. Especially those in the Jacoby Ellsbury fan club. The late season rookie sensation was expected to be moved to be moved to Minnesota if a deal for Santana was struck. Instead it appears Ellsbury will patrol centerfield and bat leadoff. The speedy youngster will look to continue the success and flas he showed late in the season and well into the post-season. Two other prospects were spared with no trade for Santana. Pitcher Justin Masterson and infielder Jed Lowrie are expected to make an impact on the 2008 roster. Both could be called up in the middle of the season with Masterson being used as a reliever and Lowrie as a reserve in the infield. Both players are looked at as being ready to contribute at the Major League level.

First baseman Sean Casey was signed on Friday by the Red Sox. He will serve as a backup to Kevin Youkilis. Casey brings a good clubhouse reputation with him and is solid at the plate and in the field. He has little power, but he fits the Red Sox profile of being a patient hitter. He will help give Youkilis some needed rest as well as Mike Lowell with Youk occassionally moving over to third base.

So, as you can see nothing much has changed for the Red Sox. Beckett leads the pitching staff, Papelbon will close out games and Papi, Manny and all the other familiar faces return. Santana would have been nice, but there's a whole lot to look forward to in 2008.