Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 2009 Boston Red Sox

I just felt a macabre sense of satisfaction and giddiness when I realized, while reading a story about Julio Lugo undergoing arthroscopic surgery, that Opening Day is two and a half weeks away. The story indicates that Lugo will miss 3-4 weeks, "eliminating any chance he had to be ready for Opening Day." This bits of news answers one of the many questions swirling around this year's Red Sox team. Mind you, I love questions of the baseball variety; the anticipation of Opening Day, especially the Spring-time feel that comes with Truck Day, Spring Training, and the WBC, is one of the best things about being a fan.

Here are my other questions about the 2009 Boston Red Sox:

Who will emerge as the Opening Day regular starting shortstop?
Can Big Papi bounce back from an awful (for him) year?
Will Lester reward his lucrative new contract?
Is this Jacoby Ellsbury's year? The Sox front office certain seems to think so.
Which prospect will contribute significantly to the team this year?
Will Rocco Baldelli survive the season? Can Smoltzy return to his former strength?
How early in the season will J.D. Drew bow out?
Who's our biggest rival? I'm not sure I can accept the Tampa Bay Rays as a power in the AL East.

We're in for one hell of a ride this year. Is anyone else as excited as me?