With David Ortiz coming off a serious wrist injury, it's no stretch to say the two best players on the roster are Pedroia and Youkilis. The former is the defending American League MVP, while the latter finished third following a career season.

They're the perfect representations of the Red Sox model, which places a higher emphasis on filling holes through the farm system than free agency or trades.

Next up is first baseman Lars Anderson, who may not be ready to contribute this year, but is considered only a year or two away. His arrival could move Youkilis across the diamond to third and give the Sox homegrown players at all four infield spots.

But that's getting ahead of the game. For now, the big question of spring training will be shortstop, where veteran Julio Lugo is due to make $9 million, and yet was clearly outplayed by Lowrie last season.

On a team with very few roster battles, let alone starting battles, the Lugo/Lowrie competition will be the most closely watched of the Grapefruit League season. While Lugo is a better athlete and more experienced, Lowrie looked like a better fit for both the lineup and defense last season.

In a perfect world, he'd probably be a bench player, given his ability to play second, third and short. But if he outplays Lugo, manager Terry Francona will not hesitate to start him.

The other big question is at catcher. Even though Jason Varitek returns after signing a one-year, $5 million deal last week, he is by no means guaranteed to start 130 games. He'll be pushed in camp by fellow veteran Josh Bard, who was actually one of the better offensive catchers in the game between 2006 and 2007 before stepping back last year.

The Red Sox will also continue to explore their trade options for a young catcher such as Texas' Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Arizona's Miguel Montero.

As far as the backup slots go, one of them will go to the Lowrie/Lugo loser. Another could conceivably belong to Nick Green, who will be in camp as a non-roster invitee.

The Sox have some flexibility at first base, where backup outfielders Mark Kotsay and Brad Wilkerson have experience.

THE INFIELD:

Name: Jason Varitek

Position: Catcher

Years with Sox: 13th season

2008 Key Stats: .220 BA, 13 HR, 43 RBI

Contract Status: Signed one-year, $5 million deal with options for 2010 last week.

The Skinny: Varitek is one of the players most associated with the Sox' run to a pair of World Series titles since 2004, but the captain is probably on borrowed time after languishing unsigned for virtually the entire offseason. With Varitek, it all comes down to his bat. He'll always be an expert handler of the pitching staff, but if he's an automatic out again at the bottom of the order, the Sox may be forced to limit his playing time.

Name: Kevin Youkilis

Position: First base

Years with Sox: 6th season

2008 Key Stats: .312 BA, 29 HR, 115 RBI

Contract Status: Signed four-year, $41 million extension last month.

The Skinny: What to do for an encore? Youkilis took his game to another level last year, making his first All-Star team, finishing third in the MVP voting, and winning fan balloting for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the best hitter in the AL. The Red Sox will be counting on similar production out of Youkilis in 2009, since he must help compensate for Manny Ramirez' absence in the middle of the order.

Name: Dustin Pedroia

Position: Second base

Years with Sox: 4th season

2008 Key Stats: .326 BA, 17 HR, 83 RBI

Contract Status: Signed six-year, $40.5 million extension in December.

The Skinny: There's no sense calling the defending MVP a scrappy overachiever anymore. Just two years removed from a Rookie of the Year Award, Pedroia is a certified star and team leader. More of the same would suit the Sox just fine. Pedroia is a sparkplug out of the No. 2 hole, but could really bat anywhere with his 20-20 potential. Like Youkilis, it's probably asking too much to expect that he'll top his 2008 season, but matching it would be OK.

Name: Mike Lowell

Position: Third base

Years with Sox: 4th season

2008 Key Stats: .274 BA, 17 HR, 73 RBI

Contract Status: In the second season of a three-year, $37.5 million deal.

The Skinny: It's easy to write off Lowell because of his injury issues last year, but when healthy, he was extremely productive. Prorate his numbers over a full season, and he drives in over 100 for the fourth time in his career. Lowell is a leader and team-first guy, but it's only natural to wonder if there could be some lingering animosity over management's unabashed offseason pursuit of slugger Mark Teixeira.

Name: Jed Lowrie

Position: Shortstop

Years with Sox: 2nd season

2008 Key Stats: .258 BA, 2 HR, 46 RBI

Contract Status: Unsigned, but not arbitration eligible and under team's control.

The Skinny: Lowrie is going to have to win this job in spring training over $36 million man Julio Lugo, but if last year is any indication, the spot is Lowrie's to lose. Whereas Lugo struggled at the plate and in the field, the switch-hitting Lowrie proved to be a tough out and steady defender in his debut. His walkoff single won the ALDS and he projects as a solid big leaguer across the board.

Name: David Ortiz

Position: Designated hitter

Years with Sox: 7th season

2008 Key Stats: .264 BA, 23 HR, 89 RBI

Contract Status: In third season of four-year, $52 million deal, with $12.5 million club option for 2011.

The Skinny: Considering how good Ortiz has been for so long here, it feels blasphemous to question him after a down 2008. On pace for 35 homers and 120 RBI when he suffered a wrist injury on May 31, Ortiz never really regained his form after returning in July. He was particularly overmatched in the playoffs, failing to catch up to good fastballs. He needs to come to spring training in shape to allay concerns of a mid-30s breakdown, a la Mo Vaughn.

THE BACKUPS:

Julio Lugo - Not signed as a backup, but may end up in that role.

Josh Bard - Hopefully has recovered from the '06 Wakefield disaster.

Mark Kotsay - Known mostly as an outfielder, but proved he can play first, too.

Nick Green - Journeyman will battle for a utility spot with Alex Cora gone.

George Kottaras - Prospect is out of options and will get a look.

- COMPILED BY JOHN TOMASE