The Red Sox don't have many openings at key positions, and catcher is the only spot at which they may have to bring in somebody new if they can't re-sign C Jason Varitek. The Sox will again use free agency and trades to fill in some of the roster blanks and perhaps land another starting pitcher, but there shouldn't be a lot of turnover from a team that nearly made it to the World Series again.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Red Sox could potentially use another veteran starting pitcher who could push RHP Tim Wakefield back to the No. 5 position, and they also could use more right-hander power on either the bench or in their everyday lineup. If Varitek signs elsewhere, then a solid defensive catcher capable of a leadership role becomes an obvious and immediate need. FREE AGENTS: C Jason Varitek, RHP Mike Timlin, 1B Sean Casey, SS Alex Cora, OF Mark Kotsay, RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Curt Schilling.
The Sox would like to re-sign Varitek under the right circumstances, but there's a chance that nobody else from their free agent class returns. Timlin may retire, and Kotsay and Byrd may look for better opportunities with more playing time elsewhere. Cora and Casey both expressed interest in returning to the Sox, but it's unclear whether they'll be back on Boston's bench. Schilling won't be back.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: 1B Kevin Youkilis, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, C Kevin Cash, LHP Javier Lopez.
Both Youkilis and Papelbon are in line for big raises, and the Sox could again broach signing long-term deals with both. Cash may return to catch Wakefield, and Lopez should be back for another go-round. Expect all of these players to sign prior to the arbitration deadlines, as the Sox have yet to go to arbitration with a player during Theo Epstein's run as general manager.
IN LIMBO: OF Coco Crisp entered last season as a prime candidate to be traded due to the emergence of OF Jacoby Ellsbury, and Crisp again should be on the trade market this winter. This offseason will also be a key one for RHP Clay Buchholz, who is picking up the pieces at the Arizona Fall League and hopes to make an impact in Boston's starting staff next season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Mike Lowell (arthroscopic right hip surgery in October 2008) will starting working out in the late winter and hopes to be ready for spring training.
SS Jed Lowrie (left wrist sprain and non-displaced fracture) underwent an MRI after the season that revealed the injury. With rest, he should be healed in time for spring training.
RHP Curt Schilling (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) missed all of last season, and he is undecided on whether he'll play in 2009.
RHP Josh Beckett (torn right oblique) will need roughly six weeks to heal from an injury he was pitching with through the 2008 postseason, but he should be healthy for spring training.
SS Julio Lugo (torn left quad) attempted to return from injury several times late in the season but kept suffering setbacks. Lugo was taking batting practice and running the bases during the postseason, and he should be healthy for spring training.
