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 is if they choose not to re-sign C Jason Varitek. The Red Sox again will use free agency and trades to fill in some of the roster blanks, but -- following their failure to win the Mark Teixeira free agency sweepstakes -- there shouldn't be a lot of turnover from a team that nearly made it back to the World Series. The one wild card is if the Red Sox decide to be bold and parlay some of their young assets in a deal for a middle-of-the-order bat.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Red Sox potentially could use more right-handed power potential either on the bench or the everyday lineup and still might pursue blockbuster trade possibilities this winter. Signing OF Rocco Baldelli and re-signing OF Mark Kotsay filled two of their big reserve/bench roles. If Varitek signs elsewhere, then a young understudy becomes an obvious and immediate need to be paired behind the plate with C Josh Bard. ARRIVALS: RHP Junichi Tazawa (free agent from Japan), LHP Billy Traber (minor league free agent from the Yankees), RHP Ramon Ramirez (trade with Royals), RHP Miguel Gonzalez (Rule 5 selection from Angels), C Josh Bard (free agent from Padres), RHP Brad Penny (free agent from Dodgers), OF Rocco Baldelli (free agent from Rays), RHP Takashi Saito (free agent from Dodgers), RHP John Smoltz (free agent from Braves).
DEPARTURES: OF Coco Crisp (traded to Royals), C Kevin Cash (free agent, signed minor league deal with Yankees), RHP Bartolo Colon (free agent, signed with White Sox).
FREE AGENTS: C Jason Varitek, RHP Mike Timlin, 1B Sean Casey, SS Alex Cora, RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Curt Schilling.
The Red Sox might re-sign Varitek under club-friendly circumstances, but there's a chance that nobody from their free agent class -- aside from Mark Kotsay -- returns. Timlin is nearing the end of a glorious career and will not be re-signed, and Byrd might look for better starting opportunities elsewhere. Cora and Casey both initially expressed interest in returning to the Red Sox, but it's doubtful either will be returning to Boston's bench. Casey indicated he might retire if he doesn't find a situation to his liking. Schilling won't be back. The Red Sox replaced Cash by upgrading offensively with Bard.
IN LIMBO: The offseason will be a key one for RHP Clay Buchholz, who pitched well in the Arizona Fall League and hopes to make an impact in Boston's starting staff next season. Buchholz reportedly has been sought in trade talks with Texas for young catching and in blockbuster deals for an impact bat. The Sox Red also are shopping SS Julio Lugo, and he could be dealt to a team in need of a middle infielder before spring training.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: 1B Kevin Youkilis, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, LHP Javier Lopez.
Youkilis and Papelbon are in line for big raises, and the Red Sox have discussed long-term deals with both. Discussions with Youkilis' agent ended at an impasse, and he's likely to sign a one-year deal. Lopez should be back for another go-round. Expect all of them to sign before the arbitration deadline; the Red Sox have yet to go to a hearing with a player during Theo Epstein's run as general manager.
MEDICAL WATCH:
3B Mike Lowell (arthroscopic right hip surgery in October 2008) could start hitting in January, and he should be ready for duty at some point during spring training.
SS Jed Lowrie (left wrist sprain and non-displaced fracture) underwent an MRI exam 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 last season, and he is undecided on whether he'll pitch in 2009.
RHP Josh Beckett (torn right oblique) 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 would have played had the Red Sox qualified for the World Series. Lugo should be healthy for spring training.
RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) expects to be ready to pitch in April.
