Five Questions Facing the Boston Red Sox for 2009

With only two days to go until Pitchers And Catchers Report to Spring Training, the Red Sox are done dealing. For now. However, there are still some questions surrounding the team as they go ahead. These are the five things that the Red Sox need to think about the most, in no particular order.

Josh Beckett and Jason Bay are due for extensions. Will they be signed?

Josh Beckett's contract is only guaranteed through 2009, and it also comes with a 2010 option attached. However, it is approaching the time for Boston and Beckett to start negotiating a new contract to keep him in a Red Sox jersey.

In Jason Bay's case, he is a free agent after the 2009 season, and Bay has not hammered out an extension to his deal with his new team. However, if Bay does go to free agency, there is a hell of an interesting option out there next offseason in Matt Holliday...

How will the back end of the rotation shape up?

Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester are locks for the first three spots. However, after Brad Penny and John Smoltz recover from their injuries and are ready to pitch, the Red Sox have Smoltz and Penny, as well as Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield, competing for the last two spots in the rotation.

Will Wakefield be moved to the bullpen? I think that's the best option. Although he is a very reliable starter, one of the starters needs to be a long-man for the bullpen, because the 'pen isn't made up of guys who can go multiple innings if need be. I think Wakefield is the best candidate for this job, leaving Penny and Smoltz in the rotation.

What if David Ortiz and J.D. Drew miss significant amounts of playing time again?

Sure, Rocco Baldelli is a very talented fourth outfielder, and shouldn't have a problem filling in time for J.D. Drew. However, what if Ortiz and Drew miss significant amounts of playing time at the same time? Would Lars Anderson be called up to do some DH'ing, or would everyone have to endure watching Brad Wilkerson, a pathetic hitter as of late, at the Designated Hitter role?

This could be a non-issue if the Red Sox signed Ray Durham to a one-year deal. This would be good, because not only can Durham still hit, but the Red Sox are in great need of a backup second baseman/infielder type.

Julio Lugo is only capable of playing a lousy short stop, and there is not a backup second baseman on the depth chart. Durham would be a good insurance policy, just in case something happens.

Will the Red Sox be active on the trade market towards the deadline?

The past two years, the Red Sox have made surprise moves just before the deadline to improve the team.

In 2007, they flipped David Murphy, Kason Gabbard, and other prospects to receive Eric Gagne from the Texas Rangers. The acquisition turned out horrible, but the Sox won a title that year.

In 2008, the Red Sox dumped backup outfielder Brandon Moss, reliever Craig Hansen, and superstar Manny Ramirez. Ramirez went to Los Angeles, Moss and Hansen went to Pittsburgh. From Pittsburgh, Jason Bay came to Boston. Although the Sox got wiped out of the ALCS by the Rays, Bay was instrumental in the Red Sox' run.

Will anything big happen in 2009? Will the bullpen be bolstered with a last minute acquisition? Will a speed or power bat be added to the bench at the deadline?

Who is the heir to Varitek's throne?

Varitek is surely on his last contract, and the Red Sox do not appear to be ready for after he is gone.

Is George Kottaras going to be the next catcher for the Red Sox? Will they give in and trade Buchholz to land the jackpot, one of two catching prodigies in Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden?

Moving forward, this is the biggest concern for the Red Sox. Varitek won't be around forever, and it's time for Boston to start looking for a replacement.