Between now and Opening Day, HardballTalk will take a look at each of baseballs 30 teams, asking the key questions, the not-so-key questions, and generally breaking down their chances for the 2014 season. Next up: The Boston Red Sox.

The Big Question:Have the Red Sox taken the steps necessary to avoid a post-championship decline?

No team has repeated as World Series champions since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. The Red Sox, though, didnt suffer from any championship hangovers their last two times around, winning 95 games and returning to the postseason in both 2005 and 2008.

The Red Soxdidnt desire to partake in any sort of shakeup over the winter; they just werent willing to outbid the Yankees for Jacoby Ellsbury or commit to substantial multiyear deals for fellow free agents Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Replacing the trio will be either rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. or former superstar Grady Sizemore in center field, phenom Xander Bogaerts at shortstop and the much beloved A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate. Interestingly, the teams only newcomer to get a multiyear deal was new setup man Edward Mujica (two years, $9.5 million).

The pitching staff has survived almost entirely intact, with the rotation set to include Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront. The surprising exit of Ryan Dempster turned heads he gave up $13 million to spend the year with his family but he was being viewed as a middle reliever or swingman. Replacing him in that role is left-hander Chris Capuano.

So, the Red Sox are counting on their returning stars and a gradual infusion of youngtalent to stave off any decline. Boasting one of the games very best farm systems makes that an easier choice, and if it turns out that they do need help as the season goes along, theyll have about as much artillery to pull off a trade as any team in the league.

What else is going on?

Prediction: If spring training numbers are any indication, its going to take some time for the Red Sox lineupto start clicking. Still, the bats are there to make the team a top-three offense in the AL, and the pitching staff has both top-level talent and excellent depth. The Red Soxs decision to largely stand pat could cost them a few wins and perhaps the AL East, but the team should return to the postseason in some form.

Secondplace, American League East.

Continued here:

2014 Preview: Boston Red Sox