Red Sox and Yankees are not as far apart as one might think

I’m over it. I really am.

I’m over the fact that Alex Rodriguez will be wearing the… I’m over it. I really am.

I’m over the fact that Alex Rodriguez will be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees this summer.

I’m over the fact that Rodriguez was hours away from becoming a Boston Red Sox.

And as someone with an interest in the Red Sox, I’ve long been over the fact that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will use money to accomplish almost anything.

Now, with as much objectivity and fairness as I can muster, I will break down each team position-by-position and assess which team has the advantage at each location.

Catcher– Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek are considered by most to be the two best catchers in Major League Baseball. While Varitek provides toughness, grit and leadership, Posada’s statistics (30 home runs, 101 RBIs) are better than Varitek’s (25 home runs, 85 RBIs). Advantage: Even.

First Base– As much as I like Boston’s Kevin Millar, I would be a fool to deny that the Yankees’ Jason Giambi is a better overall player. Last year, Millar was good for 25 home runs and 96 RBIs. However, Giambi, on two bad legs, belted 41 homers and 101 RBIs. Advantage: Yankees.

Second Base– In what is the most questionable position for both teams, Boston will use former Pittsburgh Pirate Pokey Reese to replace Todd Walker, while New York will most likely play second base by committee. Maybe the Yankees could call old friend Chuck Knoblauch? Advantage: Even.

Shortstop– In yet another close category, the simple fact that Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra will be entering the final year of his contract is enough to convince me that he’ll have a better season than Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Factor in the grudge he’ll be playing with to prove he’s better than his supposed replacement, Rodriguez, and Garciaparra is clearly the pick. Advantage: Red Sox.

Third Base– While Boston’s Bill Mueller did win the American League batting title last year with an average nearly .330, Rodriguez should adapt quickly to his new surroundings at Yankee Stadium and have a monster year. Considering Rodriguez is the first player to hit 40 or more home runs for six consecutive years, the move from one hitter-friendly ballpark to another should make for an extraordinary season. Advantage: Yankees.

Left Field– Boston’s Manny Ramirez is one of the best RBI men in Major League Baseball today. Ramirez’s 37 home runs, 104 RBIs and .325 average are better than Yankee Hideki Matsui’s 16 homers, 106 RBIs and .287 average, and considering Ramirez has hit more than 35 home runs and 130 RBIs in three of the last five seasons, it’s easy to see who has the advantage. Advantage: Red Sox.

Center Field– Boston’s Johnny Damon and the Yankees’ Kenny Lofton both bring the same weapons to the table. They both can steal some bases, both are quality leadoff men, and both are solid defensively. Do you see any differences between the two? Neither did I. Advantage: Even.

Right Field– I expect Boston’s Trot Nixon to have a decent season, especially considering the contract he recently received to stay in Boston. However, if Gary Sheffield can put up statistics similar to his performance last year with the Atlanta Braves, this category shouldn’t be a contest. Advantage: Yankees.

Designated Hitter– Boston’s David Ortiz wants to play more first base. New York’s Bernie Williams wants to play more center field. Both players don’t want to be where they currently are. Each player’s productivity will be affected by how they accept their roles in the lineup, especially Williams. Until then, this category is a push. Advantage: Even.

Pitching Staff– The Red Sox additions of Curt Schilling and closer Keith Foulke, combined with the Yankees’ loss of Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens makes this category a no-brainer. The Red Sox have the best pitching staff in the American League, if not all of baseball. Advantage: Red Sox.

There you have it. The final tally: Red Sox: three, Yankees: three, with four positions even. Between April 16 and the end of the season, the Red Sox and Yankees will meet on 19 separate occasions to determine which team has the better lineup.

It should be a great season. David Shearouse is a die-hard Red Sox fan and will be traveling to Florida during spring break to see them play against the Philadelphia Phillies. He can be reached at dcs45@pitt.edu.