Boston will have to work hard this year

Boston has assembled a hand of four aces, Toronto finished 2nd last season, the Yankees improved their pitching and depth... what will happen? This year Boston will have to exceed it's normal effort to mess up this season. On paper they may have their best pitching ever...clearly the best in the league this season. Detroit would be a poor second, the Yankees somewhere in the upper one third. Boston has great defenders to go along with the dominant starters...so look for Boston to build a big lead in the AL East and coast to the division title while the Yankees battle for their lives with Toronto, Detroit, Texas, and Oakland. Now if Boston does not run away early..things could get dicey because the Yankees are loaded with trading chips: Pavano + cash; high quality prospects from AAA and depth players. Will Florida decide it can trade Cabrera and still be on track for 2008? Will Minnesota trade Santana while his value is still high( three high level prospects at this time). So if Boston doesn't play hard they will have a chance to see the Yankees make a big deal and catch up in talent a bit before the pennant chase. This season it is truly difficult to imagine that Boston will not blow away the division: four aces usually beats jacks and tens.