Lots of hand-wringing goin on over the offense here(not to say that to a degree it's not warranted) but I think this can be a good thing. This team overall as constructed is still good enough to make it in as a wild card. We now have a far more athletic lineup with far more speed throughout than maybe any other Sox team in history so I expect us to use it whenever possible. Ells bury had 70 steals last year. Pedey is good for at least 20. Same with Cameron and Beltre. Scutaro can get 15. If Tito gives these guys the green light regularly we'll be able to absolutely create havoc on the basepaths. This team should absolutely lead the AL in steals. Tito should be able to hit and run with the bottom 3rd of the lineup with Scutaro, a contact hitter in the 9 spot. It'll open holes for seeing eye base hits. We'll use our speed to go 1st to 3rd on base hits

Not to make comparisons here but the '98 Yankees who are considered to be one of the best teams ever won 114 games and a World Series in dominating fashion with lineup balance, pitching, defense, clutch hitting and SPEED. That team had 6 guys with double-digit steals and 2 others with 8 each. They finished 2nd in the AL in steals that year. This team can certain do similar things and considering the last 2 years we've acquired at the trading deadline Victor Martinez and Jason Bay I think we should feel comfortable with our ability to acquire a bat at the deadline if we have to especially considering we still have several pieces to trade.