That's the question Baseball America tries to answer, via Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston. Here's the projected [UPDATE: 2016] lineup:
C Blake Swihart
1B Jerry Sands
2B Dustin Pedroia
3B Will Middlebrooks
SS Xander Bogaerts
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
CF Jackie Bradley Jr.
RF Bryce Brentz
DH Garin Cecchini
SP Jon Lester
SP Clay Buchholz
SP Matt Barnes
SP Allen Webster
SP Henry Owens
Closer Rubby de la Rosa
Now, you might notice that this is essentially just a list of Red Sox prospects. Indeed, BA doesn't attempt to project free-agent signings or trades, so the likelihood of not only all these prospects working out, but having them all play at the same time for the Sox, is obviously quite slim. (The most hilarious is Sands, who by most accounts is a 4-A guy.)
One thing should jump out with you: BA has Bogaerts listed as the shortstop. I'm not focusing on this as a Jose Iglesias devotee (though I am one); I'm focusing on it because everything I've read to this point says Bogaerts has no chance of being a major-league shortstop. There are concerns about his instincts, his body -- it just doesn't seem like he can use the glove at the level the Sox would need.
But for Baseball America to suggest that it's possible -- this changes the outlook for the Red Sox. And even a pro-Jose guy like me would be exciting to have a dynamic talent like Bogaerts playing short, even if we sacrifice considerably in the field.
