GM meeting lights Hot Stove: Red Sox to be major players

Major league baseball general managers convened today in Chicago, where they officially lit the Hot Stove and will spend three days setting the stage for the Winter Meetings to come next month.

No real headlines are expected to be written there since free agents are not allowed to negotiate with potential new teams until November 20, and it will take a little time for any blockbuster trades to come to fruition. But this is the place where the groundwork is laid, and the Boston Red Sox should figure prominently in any and all conversations – especially those concerning catcher, left field, shortstop, either corner infielder, and starting pitchers.

• Catcher: whether the team renews Jason Varitek or he renews himself, it’s a safe bet that he’ll be behind Victor Martinez on the depth chart for next year, and then off the playing roster – if not gone from the Sox altogether – for 2011. One is left with the impression that George Kottaras isn’t the answer, and there’s no one in the minors to groom for the job. So look for some prospect-swapping to fill this need.
• Left field: it says here that free agent Jason Bay has played his last for the Red Sox, and unless he truly does forge a fresh start in the spring, newly-acquired Jeremy Hermida is no more the answer than young pup Josh Reddick, who likely will need more seasoning. It’s not going to happen, but just how much fun would it be if Johnny Damon returned? Almost as much as if Hideki Matsui were to sign here.
• Shortstop: just because the Sox didn’t exercise their $6 million option on Alex Gonzalez doesn’t mean they don’t want to bring him back at a lower salary. But it probably does mean they’ve seen the last of the best defensive player they’ve had since, well, Alex Gonzalez in 2004. Clearly, they again love him but are not in love with him, which is too bad since they really need his skills and won’t find a similar replacement anywhere.
• Corner infielder (either one): Kevin Youkilis’ incredible ability to play first and third base at Gold Glove levels gives the Red Sox an enviable flexibility that in some ways worked against them in 2009. When Martinez played first, Youk went to third, and regular 3B Mike Lowell (once recovered from surgery) either sat or served as DH – thereby displacing David Ortiz, who despite a horrendous start somehow finished with 28 HRs and 99 RBIs. My guess is that the Sox will seek to solve this “odd man out” conundrum by going hard after a corner infielder (Adrian Gonzalez?), positioning Youkilis accordingly, and saying good-bye to either Lowell or Ortiz (both of whom have age and injury working against them).
• Starting pitchers: The front three are pretty clear: Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and Clay Buchholz, who forced his way back into the picture this year with strong performances in both Pawtucket and Boston. But who follows? Tim Wakefield is deserving, but only if his back/nerve woes are behind him. Michael Bowden? Perhaps, unless he is included in a trade for a headliner like Gonzalez or Roy Halladay. Maybe John Lackey ends up changing coasts as a free agent? To be continued ...