After 174 years of collective losing and futility, the Sox, regardless of color, have now won back to back World Series titles. And with the 2005 season in our rear view mirror, a new champion being crowned and another year of memories now in our minds, it is time to start looking forward to next season. Here are a few things to think about during the offseason, and when the 2006 Major League campaign comes around.

The Yankees: Always a topic of discussion, they deserve it now more than ever. Questions include whether the veterans and underachieving free agent signees can bounce back and whether Joe Torre, Brian Cashman and The Boss can find the right combination of players they have lacked the past five years despite a bottomless pit of money.

Manny Ramirez: Always entertaining, obviously. But after already reiterating his trade demands this past week, the eyes of Bean Town and eligible suitors for Ramirez will be on him until he is either shipped off or decides to stay with the Red Sox. Manny will probably be in Boston come spring training, but remember that Alex Rodriguez was a Ranger when spring training started in 2004.

Barry Bonds: He came back for a few weeks last season to inch his way a little bit further up the all-time home run list. Love him or hate him, and steroids or not, passing Babe Ruth on any list is an achievement. And like it or not, it won’t take very long for him to pass the Sultan of Swat with long ball number 715. He’ll be booed everywhere he goes, but he’ll still swing the bat, and the ball will travel a long way.

The NL East: You heard it here first, the Atlanta Braves will fall. The only way you win 14 straight division titles is with great pitching. And the only way you go from a rotation that has three hall of famers to one with guys named Thomson, Davies and Sosa (not that one) without missing a beat is with the best pitching coach in baseball. With Leo Mazzone gone, Bobby Cox will be hard-pressed to find a way to win this division yet again.

The Steroid Policy: There will be a new one soon or Congress will have a fit. Matt Lawton and Felix Heredia have already been suspended this offseason, and the pressure is now on the owners and players to come up with a better policy — fast. Who will be the next big name linked to the juice?

Honorable Mention: The Mets’ performance in year two under Willie Randolph, the Cardinals’ response to another devastating postseason finish, seeing where Lou Piniella and Theo Epstein land and the Cubs… the time must be now for the north-siders.