With 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Curt Schilling taken care of, the Red Sox now turn to finding a younger backup catcher, outfield depth and affordable-but-talented bullpen arms available on the free agent market. The starting nine for the Sox are all accounted for with recently supplanted OF Coco Crisp likely being dangled for an upgrade in any number of areas. The Sox have had ongoing discussions with the Twins about a trade for LHP Johan Santana, but the ace is a luxury more than a necessity.

BIGGEST NEEDS: The biggest need for the Sox will be right-handed and left-handed power arms out of the bullpen and right-handed power for depth purposes in case of injury or ineffectiveness. Several pitchers the Sox had voiced interest in -- Kerry Wood in particular -- have already signed pricey deals with other teams, but the Sox were still in search of a power-pitching right-handed setup man after the conclusion of the winter meetings. The Boston front office is likely also in the market for a versatile bench player capable of playing the corner infield and outfield spots, and has been rumored to be interested in free agent Mike Lamb.

FREE AGENTS: RHP Eric Gagne, OF Bobby Kielty, SS Royce Clayton, C Kevin Cash, RHP Matt Clement, C Doug Mirabelli, RHP Brendan Donnelly, INF/OF Eric Hinske.

Kielty is a possibility for a return as a platoon partner in right field with OF J.D. Drew, and Mirabelli may return for one more season. Clement isn't likely to return, and Gagne is also not in the plans for a return after a difficult and ultimately failed two-month adjustment to being a setup man in Boston.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: LHP Javier Lopez, RHP Kyle Snyder, 1B Kevin Youkilis.

The Sox will certainly offer arbitration to Youkilis and may also opt to retain Snyder because of his versatility, but the return of Lopez to the Fens is unclear after he allowed left-handed batters to scorch him for a .293 batting average.

IN LIMBO: OF Coco Crisp has been replaced by OF Jacoby Ellsbury in the starting lineup and is most likely trade bait. Crisp is owed $10.5 million over the last two years of his deal, which makes him attractive to teams looking for an affordable, slick-fielding center fielder as an alternative to the more expensive free agent options. Minnesota, Houston, Texas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, the Chicago White Sox and San Diego have all been mentioned as possible landing spots for Crisp. Several teams have already inquired about RHP Julian Tavarez, who after being left off the postseason rosters and barely pitching in September should be shopped this offseason. The Sox activated his $3.85 million team option for 2008, and his affordability combined with versatility and durability should make valuable to other teams.

MEDICAL WATCH:

DH David Ortiz (arthroscopic right knee surgery in November 2007) should be fully healthy for spring training.

RHP Brendan Donnelly (Tommy John right elbow surgery in August 2007) likely will miss all of 2008.

RHP Tim Wakefield (sore right shoulder) was removed from the World Series roster due to the injury, but reportedly he was back at full strength during a late November visit to Fenway Park.

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