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Red Sox Season Preview: 5 Things To Watch

BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox are just under one week away from taking on the Philadelphia Phillies in their regular season opener on April 6th. After an abysmal follow-up season to their 2013 World Series title, the Sox busted out the checkbook and spent big in what has been a busy offseason to say the least.

So as Opening Day fast approaches, let's take a look at five things to watch for the upcoming season:

1. Catching Situation

Christian Vazquez
Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

A recent injury to the throwing elbow of starting catcher Christian Vasquez has him on the 60-day disabled list and the catcher position in shambles. The Sox acted quickly upon hearing the news by acquiring catcher Sandy Leon from the Washington Nationals Monday, but inserting a catcher into a starting lineup just days before Opening Day is risky to say the least. Not only is there no chemistry between the pitchers and a new catcher, the Red Sox are also losing a defensive juggernaut in Vasquez, who threw out 52 percent of runners last year and was one of the best in the league at framing pitches. 34-year-old Andover native Ryan Hanigan was traded for in the offseason to serve as the backup catcher for the Sox, but now he will be thrust into a much larger role. Hanigan has never started over 100 games in a season in his career.

2. Red Sox Starting Rotation

Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz poses for a portrait on March 1, 2015 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The uncertainty at catcher is compounded with a starting rotation that certainly left something to be desired last year. Veteran pitcher Clay Buchholz will take the mound on Opening Day as he looks to rebound from an injury-plagued season in which he posted a 5.34 ERA -- the highest of the 78 pitchers who threw at least 170 innings in 2014. The Red Sox have addressed their pitching woes this offseason, trading for Rick Porcello and signing Wade Miley and Justin Masterson, in addition to keeping Buchholz and Joe Kelly in the rotation. But is this collection of talent enough to carry the Red Sox in the AL East? We shall soon find out.

3. Who Is John Farrell?

John-Farrell
Red Sox manager John Farrell (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Before his current tenure as Red Sox manager, Farrell only had two years of managing experience with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2011-13. In those two seasons, the Blue Jays went 154-170 and did not make the playoffs. Fast forward to 2013, where Farrell took over as Red Sox manager and won the 2013 World Series after winning Sporting News' 2013 AL Manager of the Year. Season No. 2 for Farrell saw his team plummet to the bottom of the AL East, going 71-91. Is John Farrell a good manager? Was 2013 an anomaly? Was 2014 an anomaly? Who exactly is John Farrell?

4. The Glut Of Outfielders

Red Sox Right Field
Rusney Castillo, Shane Victorino and Allen Craig are all vying for the starting spot in right field. (Getty Images)

When does too much of a good thing become a problem? The Red Sox are stacked with capable outfielders heading into the season with only a few spots to fill. Newcomer Hanley Ramirez appears to be the left fielder while Mookie Betts has played the majority of spring games at centerfield due to Rusney Castillo's oblique injury. Veteran Shane Victorino, coming back from back surgery, is penciled in at right field. Where does that leave Castillo, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Brock Holt? On the bench or on the trading block? Your call, John Farrell.

5. How Will They Respond To Lofty Expectations?

Red Sox fans
Red Sox fans celebrate a David Ortiz home run at Fenway Park. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Red Sox can't do much worse than they did last year, but an offseason spending spree -- $88 million for Hanley Ramirez, $100 million for Pablo Sandoval, and $63 million on infield prospect Yoan Moncada -- certainly raises expectations exponentially. The revamped roster full of big names and big contracts compounded with a World Series title just two years ago will pressure this team to succeed, no questions asked. Will the pieces come together? Can the team shake the recent injury bug? Can John Farrell manage the big questions in the lineup?

Tune in starting April 6th to find out.

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