Ok Red Sox Nation, sorry this column is a little late, I was hiding under my bed after hearing what Scott Boras has planned for our beloved captain: 4 years for over 50M, sorry Tek, was nice knowing you. Just one comment before I move forward and leave this behind: Funny how Boras compared Tek to the Yanks’ Posada, a contract called out as a disaster for the Yanks in my last column. Maybe Boras and Tek should look elsewhere for a comparison to justify what he is thinking his client is worth.

You read it here first (or close to first) that Wakefield was coming back…so here is this week’s hot tips based on sources: Timlin is not only done with the Sox but he’s going to retire, (unless he changes his mind). The big Schill: if he does come back it WON’T be with the Red Sox, he’s upset they did not approve the surgery that would have allowed a come back for the playoffs and have enhanced his HOF dreams (again unless he changes his mind).

For the Sox make up next year, lets start with the infield.

The corners are SET, the Sox are not really interested in trading Youk, I think they will listen to offers of course but they like him and hope to lock him up to a longer contract this off season if they can buy out at least one of his free- agent years. Lowell will be back; the chatter about a trade has mostly come from fans and media. It interesting to see how quickly some can turn on a player that EVERYONE thought had to get re-signed at practically any price. Theo and the crew are not worried, no matter the fan pressure he would not have signed him if he thought he would only get one year out of him. I think the interest in Tex is real but only to a point and I think this year more then any the Yanks are ready to overpay to improve their team — what youth movement?

In the middle I can’t see anyone but Dustin holding that spot and again as with Youk, the Sox want to lock him down especially if they can buy out a free agent year. At short, things are a bit more murky. Lugo is just not gong to be the right player for the Sox, and he has to go. He’s making too much money to keep as insurance. The question is who will take him? I see him going to some place like the Tigers in a swap of high salaries that clubs don’t want to carry. In affect, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure trade.

I think the Sox like Lowrie, BUT they have to be worried about a drop off, or cold streaks. I don’t think he has the upside of a Pedroia. I could be wrong though. He’s going to be a solid player, just not an MVP player.

SO that leads us to the bench….I think Cora would like to stay, and in theory the Sox would like to keep him around BUT I think with Lowrie at short, they will be looking for an upgrade — just in case.

Kotsay and Casey are gone. I don’t see either coming back and how we back up first might depend on what the Sox end up getting in the outfield. The Sox interest in Rocco is VERY real and I think there is a good chance he comes back home to play for the Sox.

Catcher — well, unless Tek steps in, he’s stepping out…so who catches for the Sox? My guess is the Sox step up and trade Coco and a top prospect, maybe not a TOP prospect…but someone “decent”, to land Texas catch Saltalamacchia. The perfect catcher for the next five years from my point of view…

Next week – the outfield.

Sox Dirt Dog