Boston Red Sox: 10 Players Boston Needs To Pursue This Offseason

As the Boston Red Sox continue to slide in September, many questions begin to arise about the team's future. 

Who will start in right field next season? Who will be the designated hitter? Who will be the fifth starting pitcher in the rotation?

If Boston wants to avoid having months like this April and September next year, here are 10 players that it should pursue this offseason.

10. Nick Swisher

The Red Sox do not desperately need the services of Nick Swisher, but he would do three big things for the Sox if he doesn't take his option with the Yankees:

1. He wouldn't be on the Yankees.

2. He would be a great right fielder who could share time with Josh Reddick and/or Ryan Kalish.

3. His attitude would definitely boost the general locker-room feel. He reminds me a lot of Kevin Millar in that respect.

9. Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda is definitely going to be a candidate for the Red Sox this offseason to fill as the fifth starter in the rotation.

Kuroda may only have a 13-16 record this season but by no means is that his fault considering how his ERA is very low at 3.17.

Where the Dodgers have failed Kuroda in run support, the Red Sox could succeed in 2012 if he decides to sign with Boston.

8. Edwin Jackson

A second option in filling the final starting pitching spot for next season is Edwin Jackson.

Jackson has put up a 3.85 ERA this season with the White Sox and Cardinals, and he would fill in the void the Red Sox have very nicely. He has also pitched in the AL East before with the Rays so he could deal with the intensity of the division.

Jackson is also only 28, which means his best years could be ahead of him. 

7. Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer is another good option to play some right field for the Red Sox next season.

For Minnesota this season, Cuddyer has hit 19 home runs and 68 RBI with a batting average of .285. 

Cuddyer would be a good option at right field if Boston wanted a right fielder to platoon with Josh Reddick because Reddick is a lefty and Cuddyer is a righty. Cuddyer could also play for Carl Crawford in left to add a righty to the lineup whenever Boston faces a lefty pitcher.

6. Roy Oswalt

Roy Oswalt has an option with the Philadelphia Phillies for 2012 but if he does not take it, Oswalt will be a big-time free agent this offseason. 

If he does hit free agency, two of his biggest buyers will undoubtedly be both the Red Sox and the Yankees. So, if the Red Sox were to add Oswalt to their rotation, not only would they be making their pitching staff better but they would also be taking away from the Yankees.

5. CJ Wilson

CJ Wilson is possibly the best option that Boston could explore for its starting rotation. Wilson has had a great season with Texas, posting a 2.97 ERA with 206 strikeouts and a 16-7 record.

Adding Wilson would give the Red Sox a powerful starting four of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz and Wilson, with Lackey struggling in the background as he always does.

4. Heath Bell

If the Red Sox are unable to re-sign Jonathan Papelbon, they will need to find another closer to pair with Daniel Bard at the back end of the bullpen.

Heath Bell will be the best choice on the market come this offseason. He is a fun guy who has 41 saves this season in 46 opportunities to go along with a 2.52 ERA. 

Many teams will be going after Bell this offseason, and if the Red Sox find themselves in need of a closer, they would be silly to not go after him.

3. Prince Fielder

Behind Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder will undoubtedly be the hottest player on the market this winter.

Fielder, only 27 years old, is batting .293 on the season with 34 home runs and 112 RBI. The Red Sox are obviously set at first base for the next several years with Adrian Gonzalez, but if Boston finds that they are unable to re-sign David Ortiz or they simply do not want to, Fielder is their go-to guy.

He will definitely be pricey, but getting Fielder would not only add even more power to the lineup but would also take away from the Yankees, who will certainly be after the slugger as well.

2. David Ortiz

David Ortiz is the heart and soul of the Red Sox, and he has proven this season that he is more than capable of being a DH that still produces.

Big Papi has hit 29 home runs and 96 RBI this season and has accumulated a batting average of .312. 

If the Red Sox don't re-sign Ortiz, they may be able to replace his bat but they won't be able to replace what he brings to the locker room. He is the force that drives the team and I'm willing to bet that no one in the clubhouse smiles more than he does.

Boston needs to pursue Big Papi.

1. Jonathan Papelbon

Papelbon has proven in 2011 that he can still be the dominant closer that Red Sox fans have always known and loved.

He is 30-of-32 in save opportunities and he has a great ERA of 2.69. 

The combination of Bard and Papelbon is one of the most dominant in all of baseball, and Papelbon is definitely the best option for the Sox at closer this offseason.

Thanks for reading and share your thoughts!