Instead, two of the players projected to be in the lineup -- left fielder Jason Bay and right fielder J.D. Drew -- will be expected to pick up some of the slack caused by his absence.

Neither is Ramirez (which is both good and bad), but both are All-Star-caliber talents. The right-handed hitting Bay has excellent power and the ability to turn on virtually any fastball. The left-handed hitting Drew possesses an effortless stroke and is the definition of smooth both in the field and at the plate.

Bay is playing for a contract with his four-year deal set to expire after the season. The 32-year-old has topped 30 home runs and 100 RBI in three of the last four years, including last year, when he didn't let the specter of replacing Ramirez crush him.

Drew is a similar talent, though he has slightly less power and slightly more natural hitting ability. Both are good fits for Boston from a temperament standpoint, seemingly above the roller coaster highs and lows of playing here.

Bay is durable, but Drew frustrates with his inability to stay healthy. They're both going to be huge parts of the 2009 season, likely batting anywhere from third to sixth, while Drew's patience could occasionally land him at the top of the order, too.

The two flank Jacoby Ellsbury in center. The burner was a force in the 2007 postseason and started off well last season before struggling through much of the summer.

He regained his stroke in September and was a nuisance against the Angels in the Division Series before going 0-for-14 against the Devil Rays in the ALCS.

Opposing teams are developing a bit of a book on Ellsbury that he's a better off-speed hitter than fastball hitter. They're thus trying to bust him inside, which is an adjustment he'll need to make.

On the positive side, his speed makes him a threat to reach on every infield chopper, and as he hones his basestealing instincts, he could even improve on last year's outstanding 81.9 base-stealing success rate.

The backups appear set, with Woonsocket's Rocco Baldelli providing right-handed support at all three spots and Mark Kotsay doing the same from the left side, presuming he recovers fully from recent back surgery. While Kotsay is out, non-roster invitee Brad Wilkerson will get a chance to earn a spot on the team.

Baldelli is a player to watch. Still just 27 years old, he has been limited by a mitochondrial disorder that once left him exhausted even after short workouts. The condition makes a backup role ideal for him.

THE OUTFIELD

Name: Jason Bay

Position: Left field

Years with Sox: 2nd season

2008 Key Stats: .286 BA, 31 HR, 101 RBI (combined)

Contract Status: Will earn $7.5 million in final year of four-year, $18.25 million deal.

The Skinny: The Sox had planned to make a run at Bay in the offseason before acquiring him as part of the Manny Ramirez deal. Bay rewarded them with the kind of production that should be reasonable to expect again in 2009. Bay may be a solid notch below elite status, but he hammers fastballs and provides valuable thump out of the No. 5 or 6 slots in the batting order.

Name: Jacoby Ellsbury

Position: Center field

Years with Sox: 3rd season

2008 Key Stats: .280 BA, 9 HR, 47 RBI

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

The Skinny: Ellsbury gave the Sox something they had seemingly lacked since the days of Jerry Remy by leading the American League in steals with 50 and wreaking havoc on the bases. One of the game's most exciting young players, Ellsbury nonetheless has something to prove in 2009 - namely that he'll be able to turn on the inside fastballs that gave him so much trouble in the ALCS.

Name: J.D. Drew

Position: Right field

Years with Sox: 3rd season

2008 Key Stats: .280 BA, 19 HR, 64 RBI

Contract Status: Will earn $14 million in third year of five-year, $70 million deal.

The Skinny: Drew has pretty much arrived as advertised. When healthy and locked in, he's one of the few players on the roster literally capable of carrying the team, as he did last year in the three weeks after David Ortiz' injury. But health was a major factor for the first-time All-Star, who was limited to 28 games in the second half. Don't be surprised if 2009 brings more of the same, with injuries part of the tradeoff for Drew's talents.

THE BACKUPS

Rocco Baldelli - Pride of Rhode Island could be one of the winter's steals.

Mark Kotsay - Experienced left-handed bat fills multiple roles; he will be out until May after back surgery.

Brad Wilkerson - Provides insurance for Kotsay with some decent pop in his bat (he once hit 30 homers).

Jeff Bailey - Roster longshot can play first and outfield.