Now that the regular season is upon us, I thought it would be interesting to share our opinions on the Red Sox offseason. Not so much to grade the performance of the FO, but to see how the offseason went in comparison to our hopes and expectations.

For example, we may have hoped and expected to see the catching position improved. We may agree with refusing to part with Buchholz for Saltalamacchia or with Bowden or Bard for Montero, and since we don't know what other options were available it's hard to fault the FO. Still, we may be disappointed that the position wasn't upgraded.

It's up to each one of us to balance hopes with expectations. For example, I certainly hoped the Sox would sign Teixeira, but I expected him to end up with the Yankees. So he doesn't really enter into my feelings about the success of the offseason.

I give the offseason a C.

Going into it, my three major priorities, in no particular order, would have been to improve the catching, find a fourth starter good enough to keep Wakefield from starting in the postseason, and extend Jason Bay.

The catching was not improved. It could end up being better. Tek might bounce back and Kottaras might be better than Cash. But no additional talent was added. I support the refusal of the FO to overpay with young pitching, but this has been an identifiable need for at least a couple of seasons. It's frustrating, with the apparent depth of talent and financial resources available to the organization, that it has not been addressed.

The need for a fourth starter may have been addressed. Maybe not. An injury and a questionable work ethic is not a good combination with Penny. Smoltz' work ethic is unquestioned, but still, a 42-year-old coming off a serious injury is iffy. Still, between the two of them and the potential of Buchholz and Bowden, I feel pretty confident we'll have that above average fourth starter by September - as long as the first three stay healthy.

The failure to extend Bay is a major disappointment for me. I thought one of the best things about The Trade was having this offseason to get him wrapped up for several years. Now it looks like he will be a great FA fit for the Yankees next offseason, making it very difficult to retain him. Over the next two or three years the Sox may have to replace the bats of Lowell and Ortiz. Anderson may replace one, but the need to also replace Bay may tax the system. Reddick has a long way to go, and nobody else is close. Shopping for a 30 HR, 100 RBI guy - or two - may prove more difficult than finding a catcher.

If I focused on only those three priorities, the grade would be a D. But the Sox did some other very positive things, like adding Ramirez and Saito to the bullpen and extending Youkilis, Pedroia, and Lester, three home grown guys who form a big part of their nucleus going forward. So it gets bumped up to a C.

Also, from a purely win/loss perspective, it's easy to question two roster spots - Baldelli and Kottaras. Ellsbury is still very much a work in progress offensively, and Drew often needs a few days off in a row with minor injuries that don't allow a roster move. There will be a lot of games/ABs for a RHH fourth outfielder. It remains to be seen whether Baldelli will physically be able to handle the role. And Kottaras doesn't seem to get much respect around baseball as either an adequate present backup or a future potential starter. But as a fan, I'm intensely interested in both players and I'm rooting very hard for them. I'm excited that they're on the team.