As the Sox head into 2013, what do you consider the most important thing for the Sox to succeed?

The rotation was terrible in 2012, so IMO Lackey must pitch well.

Without question there are a number of areas for improvement, but please pick only one. What you consider the biggest factor for success.

Thanks, and go Sox.

success with this team would be at most 81-84 wins.... I just want them to develop the younger players as they move forward into the season......

Health for the players is always a huge factor. Staying on the field is critical in order to arrive at the next critical factor - efficacy. That is, living up to or exceeding their numbers. Those two rank very high on the list.

The struggles the team had last year really started and ended with the starting rotation. Besides just Lackey, Lester and Buchholz must pitch well and much more like their pre-2012 selves for the Sox to succeed.

Starting rotation first off. Second would be a solid definite closer.

You said just ONE

So, I'll say it like this............ALL our players have to Play to their POTENTIAL! (after all, they are in the majors for a reason. So, just Play to that potential and we'll be all right!)

To be really successful I'd say that it has to be way more than just Lackey that pitches much better. I think Lester may be the key, because he appears to be the guy on the staff that has the best chance of being an ace, and they really need one. He's was on the verge of that a couple of years ago, then regressed.

Starting pitching.

Consistency from Lester & Buchholz

With the BP they have if they can get above average starting pitching they should do well.

Ben has to look like a genius.

That oughta cover everything.

The pitching needs to get better, but that was about the weakest hitting Red Sox team I coud remember in a long time. They ended the season with several guys hitting .200 or less, and with very little power. I am a big Pedroia fan, but I don't think he is a #3 hitter.

JON LESTER

True but dont forget they didnt have a healthy Ortiz, Ellsbury ( assuming thats why he didnt hit better), Middlebrooks and lacked a 1st basemen, that's alot of power... to be missing, so their offense should be loads better this year.

We have a mediocre team---our only hope is that the starting pitchers keep us in the game for 6 innings and the players we do have stay healthy

And our starting pitching is questionable at best!

That's something people tend to forget when trying to assess what to expect from the team in 2013. After the LA trade the combination of the players lost there along with missing Ortiz and Middlebrooks to injuries left them with a shell of a lineup. Almost half the lineup on any given night was made up of AAA players.

I completely agree. I kind of felt bad for Pedroia as it looked like he was trying to carry that AAA team on his back.

I completely agree but everytime I bring up the quality or lack there of, of our rotation I'm pegged as being a whiner. Well to me there's alot to whine about considering the amount of money paid. If the Sox went with a $75 to $100m payroll I wouldnt complain as much. If they lowered ticket prices, I wouldnt complain as much. I hope this rotation holds up and perfoms well enough but Im not gonna hold my breath.