New Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has a full "To Do" list this offseason. He has said he would like to bring back free agents David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon, but here are some fall back options in case they skip town, as well as a few other potential Sox.
Francisco Rodriguez- CL
In need a closer, K-Rod is be out there. He split the season with the Mets and Brewers, serving as a set-up man in Milwaukee. Rodriguez struck out 79 in 71.2 IP, recording 23 saves and 17 holds.
Brad Lidge- RP
Lidge's closing days are long gone, but the right hander could fill the hole Bobby Jenks was supposed to in 2011. He went 0-2 with one save and a 1.40 ERA in 25 appearances for the Phillies in 2011, missing half the season with a shoulder injury.
Mark Buehrle- SP
Possibly the best match for the Red Sox, Buehrle can come in and eat innings in the starting rotation. The lefty started 31 games for the White Sox in 2011, going 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA. He pitched 205.1 innings last season, and would be a perfect for a rotation that has a couple holes to fill this off-season.
C.J. WIlson- SP
One of the most coveted arms on the free agent market, Wilson will likely command an ace-type contract. The lefty went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA for the Rangers in 2011, going the distance three times including one shutout. He struck out 206 in 223.1 IP, and held the opposition to a .232 batting average. He might be a little too rich for the Red Sox.
Hiroki Kuroda-SP
The soon-to-be 37-year-old Kuroda would make for a decent back-end starter for Boston, after going 13-16 for the Dodgers in 2011. Kuroda struck out 161 and had an ERA of just 3.07 for LA last season.
Roy Oswalt- SP
Oswalt battled a bad back in 2011, and went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA for the Phillies in 23 games. If healthy, and if he is willing to take a pay-cut from the $16 million he made last year, Oswalt could fill a role in the back-end of the rotation.
Brandon Webb- SP
Webb hasn't pitched in two years, but could be one of those low-risk, low-money deals Ben Cherington is looking for. He had surgery on his rotator cuff last August, but expects to be ready for the start of the 2012 season.
Carlos Beltran- RF
The Sox were rumored to be interested in Beltran at the trade deadline in 2011, and will likely seek his services for their vacancy in right field. Beltran played 142 games last season, splitting time between the Mets and Giants. He hit .300 for the season, smacking 22 homers, driving in 84 and scoring 78 runs.
Johnny Damon- DH/OF
Damon may not have left on the best terms, and rejected a trade back to Boston just a few years ago, but he could fill the hole in the outfield and at DH if David Ortiz leaves. Damon can still get it done at the plate and would provide some veteran leadership in the clubhouse.
Michael Cuddyer- OF
The Red Sox were rumored to be interested in Cuddyer at the trade deadline. He is now a free agent after making $10.5 million in 2011. In 139 games played, the outfielder hit 20 home runs and 29 doubles with 70 RBI.
Magglio Ordonez- RF/DH
The aging Ordonez, he will be 38 when next season starts, could split time between right field and DH for the Sox. Ordonez only played 92 games last season for Detroit, hitting just five home runs and driving in 32.
Hideki Matsui- DH
The former Yankee-foe hit just .251for Oakland in 2011, but could be a DH candidate for Boston if David Ortiz signs elsewhere. Matsui hit 12 home runs and drove in 72 for the A's in 2011.
Raul Ibanez- OF/DH
Ibanez will be 40 when the season starts and is coming off the final year of a mega-deal he signed with the Phillies in which he hit just .245. But if Ortiz leaves, Ibanez could be a solid DH candidate after hitting 20 homers, 31 doubles and driving in 84.
Carlos Pena- DH
The Haverhill native could return home, again, if the Red Sox need a DH. Pena hit just .225 with the Cubs in 2011, but clubbed 28 homers and drove in 80 runs in 153 games.
Kosuke Fukudome- OF
Fukodome could be a candidate to fill the Sox hole in right field after batting .262 with 27 doubles and 59 runs scored for the Indians in 2011.
Derrek Lee- DH
Lee split time between the Orioles and Pirates in 2011, hitting .267 with 19 home runs and driving in 59 runs. Lee could make a decent DH if David Ortiz leaves town.
Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Shoppach (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jose Molina- Catcher
Molina will be 36 next season, but could be an option for the Red Sox at catcher. In 55 games with Toronto in 2010, Molina hit .281 with three homers and 15 RBI. He is solid behind the plate, and could be a good backup for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
