A whole new team?

February approaches and with it three of the most anticipated words in the sports world to start the new year - "pitchers and catchers". For baseball fans everywhere those three words mark the beginning of a new season and the beginning of the hopes and dreams of 30 MLB teams vying to be the last man standing (and perhaps having to play the Japanese champion as talks surface about a possible true World Series).

But we are still several weeks away from pitchers and catchers so the Rant's eye turns to the continuing off-season which has been an eventful one for Red Sox Nation. We have seen many new signings (Mike Cameron, John Lackey, Marco Scutero, and soon Adrian Beltre to name a few), sad goodbyes (Jason Bay), goodbyes to failed experiments (Rocco Baldelli, Casey Kotchman), almost goodbyes (Mike Lowell), and general moving parts (to left with you Jacoby). One thing is for sure, this will be a very different Boston Red Sox team than the one that took the field in 2009. But the changes are not over Red Sox Nation. The term "bridge team" has been thrown about and the 2011 Red Sox will certainly be much different than even the 2010 version.

This year is all about putting a competitive team on the field to keep fan interest and keep the merchandise selling while also looking to the future and the mass changes that could be on the horizon. Mike Lowell will certainly be gone before the 2010 season is finished and whatever salary the Red Sox absorb to make the trade happen will be off the books in November as well. Also coming off the books are David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, and Josh Beckett. Adrian Beltre is on a one year deal with a player option at almost a 50% rate for 2011. All this means one thing - the Sox are looking to be major players in the 2010-2011 offseason free agent market (Joe Mauer anyone?).

Granted, the Sox will always have the option to extend Martinez, Beckett & Beltre but Varitek and Ortiz are almost certainly departing at the end of the year unless Ortiz has a rejuvenated season after his down year of 2009. Martinez is likely to hit the free agent market as the Sox will make the push for Mauer but will face heavy competition from the Yankees who are in need of an everyday catcher as well. Should Minnesota pull money out of a magic hat and somehow lock up Mauer during the season or do a sign and trade at the deadline with another club, the likelihood of a Martinez return certainly increases.

Beckett is a different issue. He has been dominating at times over the past two seasons but not like he was in 2007. That Beckett may be gone for good, we'll see. Should Dice-K and Clay Bucholtz have solid seasons, Beckett becomes expendable since the Sox have a top two of Lester and Lackey sewn up beyond 2010. The Sox could dip into free agency for a cheaper #2 or #3 starter or make a trade and still have a solid rotation at a cheaper value than their current starting five.

Adrian Beltre is essentially on a try-out contract. If he comes to Fenway and has a monster year and flashes that Gold Glove quality at third while staying healthy, the Sox may be inclined to offer an extension and keep him around for a few years to offer some middle order thump from the hot corner position. As much as I hate to see Mike Lowell go from a sentimental stand-point, it was just painful to watch him attempt to play his position last year and the Sox need to get younger and faster if they want to stay in the hunt long term.

The other question mark is Jonathan Papelbon. The boy can't keep his mouth shut. His arrogance is approaching the "just get him out of here" point. We all know you're good, kid, you don't have to keep reminding us. Personally, I would like to see Daniel Bard progress to the point where Papelbon becomes tradeable and maybe he can be a piece that can land them Adrian Gonzalez. Should Ortiz be dismissed at the end of the season, plugging Gonzalez or someone of his caliber in as the DH would go a long way to ease the pain of the end of the Big Papi era.

Change is a-coming for the Boston Red Sox. I would predict as many as 5 players from the opening day starting roster may not be with the team come opening day 2010. Nevermind the changes in the 40-man. The other consideration is that some of these guys may just be let go and the likes of Ryan Westmoreland, Josh Reddick, and Casey Kelly could be manning the field at Fenway in 2011.