Why do analysts think the Sox are going to be so good this year? Because they got Price and Kimbrel? Hardly seems enough to drag them out of the dregs they've resided in the last two years.
The offense looks very good this year. They bit the bullet on Castillo and Sandoval, going with Shaw and Holt, and have generally been rewarded. Add in Xander and Mookie, plus a healthy Pedroia and an Ortiz not showing a decline, and that is an extremely strong offense. Hanley seems to have adjusted well to 1st and is hitting. Swihart figures to be above average for a catcher, and Bradley has had positive streaks too. They scored 6 or more runs every game except 1 so far, when Hanley was sitting. Their weak link is mostly their starting pitching.