Favored Red Sox aren't writing off Yanks

FORT MYERS, Fla.

Welcome to Camp Optimism, where smiles predominate, the starting rotation is filled and the owners talk about baseball.

"This offseason was a tremendous [success] on a number of fronts," Red Sox principalowner John Henry said Saturday as his club held its first full-squad workout."We accomplished everything we set out to accomplish."

You know you've discovered a relatively stress-free baseball team when the most pressing question to ask is whether the reloaded Sawx regard themselves as the favorites to win the American League East and the World Series. The official answer, of course, is no.

When word reached the Red Sox's minor-league complex here that the Yankees' Mark Teixeira labeled his team "underdogs," you probably could hear the laughter all the way back in Tampa.

"I don't care. Whatever," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "They have a $200-million payroll. They're not gonna be too underdog-ish."

"I doubt it. I doubt it," David Ortiz said when asked if a club with the Yankees' payroll could be considered an underdog. "But I understand what Tex was trying to say."

Ortiz added: "That's what everyone's talking about, us being the favorites. I don't like the position of being favored. I like the position of being the underdog."

Like it or not, however, the Red Sox deserve the mantle of favorites. After finishing behind Tampa Bay and the Yankees last year with an 89-73 record and missing the playoffs, the Red Sox traded for San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (moving Kevin Youkilis from first base to third) and signed free-agent leftfielder Carl Crawford away from the rival Rays.

Once Gonzalez gets his reported seven-year, $154-million contract extension after Opening Day, the Red Sox - usually reluctant to commit to Yankee-esque nine-figure packages - will have spent just over $300 million on these two excellent additions. Crawford has a seven-year, $142-million deal and Gonzalez will make $5.5 million this year before the extension commences in 2012.

Throw in former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks and former Rays closer Dan Wheeler to strengthen a shaky bullpen, as well as good health for the likes of Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia and Youkilis, and you can understand why the Red Sox feel very good about their chances.

"It's exciting to come to camp knowing that you have such a strong team on paper," Youkilis said, "but you also have to come together in camp, pull all together, stay healthy. Just because everyone's picking you to win on paper doesn't mean you're going to win."

You knew that was coming, and of course, pitfalls loom. There is a paucity of quality catching nearly everywhere, but the duo of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek might fall short of competence. Beckett could fail to rebound from his poor 2010 and veteran John Lackey simply might be on the decline. Closer Jonathan Papelbon, in his walk year, could generate controversy about his job security if he fails to improve from last season.

Certainly, however, the Red Sox face the fewest doubts in their division. Tampa Bay has to completely rebuild its bullpen and will bank on former Red Sox "Idiots" Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez to recapture their youth. And the Yankees, as we know, seriously lack rotation depth.

"We're confident that the Yankees are every bit as strong as they always are," chairman Tom Werner said.

Like it or not, the Red Sox are the favorites.

"I don't really watch TV. I didn't know that," Pedroia said with a smile. "Thanks."

He should thank his owners and front office. Now he and his teammates must convert this February optimism into October elation.