The nature of Boston Red Sox tickets has changed in recent years. It used to be that fans would go see the notorious heartbreakers contend on a nearly annual basis, only to stumble in some unbelievable fashion down the stretch. That all changed in 2004, when the Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought and reclaimed the World Series championship. These days, fans are clamoring for a return to the Fall Classic, and below we'll take a look at how likely such a return is for the 2007 edition of the Red Sox.

Offseason Changes

The Red Sox were typically active this offseason, signing RF J.D. Drew and SS Julio Lugo. Their biggest splash, however, was also the biggest offseason player signing story in MLB, as the Red Sox added Japanese legend Daisuke Matsuzaka, the pitcher who boasts of the yet-to-be-seen "Gyro ball" that many proclaim will baffle hitters like no other pitch they've ever seen. These were all risky signings, but if Drew stays healthy and Matsuzaka is as good as advertised, the Red Sox improved dramatically both at the plate and on the mound.

Players to Watch

Aside from their new signings, other players on the roster will be worth the effort to obtain Boston Red Sox tickets this season. Manny Ramirez is back, and this ultra-talented hitter is never boring for many reasons. David Ortiz is coming off a 54 Home Run season, and is known as perhaps the most clutch hitter in the game. Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling return to the pitching staff, and their combination with Matsuzaka could be formidable.
 

2007 Outlook

The Red Sox find themselves in somewhat familiar territory, as they appear to be the favorites in the division along with the Yankees. The Blue Jays are not to be discounted, though, and it could be another close finish in the AL East. If the Red Sox can stay healthier than they did a year ago, avoid the off-field controversies and see Beckett return to form and Matsuzaka add to the staff, this team is as talented as any in MLB. That may seem like a lot of "ifs," but it's less than most teams face as they enter spring training.

The 2007 season will be another one to watch with interest for Red Sox and baseball fans everywhere, and Boston Red Sox tickets will once again give you a chance to see a team actively chase a championship.