Fine job by The Boston Globe's Mass in analyzing the Red Sox coming offseason moves

Catcher is the big need. Pitching is all set, with the Big Three all being under 30 and signed, Wake at number five, and Masterson, Bowden, or maybe even Buchholz at number four. Some starting pitching depth would be nice, but not totally necessary.

Getting rid of Lowell's and Lugo's contracts will be tough. They are both on the decline and do not want to sit on the bench. Can Lowell recover from hip surgery to contribute next season? I guess no one knows for sure. But Lowrie is a given next year to start at ss.

Texeira would be an incredible addition as a free agent, but I think Mazz under forecasts the dollars needed to sign him. The guy is only 28, is one of the great hitters in the game, and is stellar defensively while never getting injured. He should get more than $18-20 million a year. Can the Sox outbid the other suiters? I hope so.

But Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins are attractive as well. Both can rake. Hopefully the Sox have a good feel for Lowell's availability for next year. Personally, I would feel comfortable going into next season with largely the same team as this year, while knowing that full years out of Masterson and Bowden should help the pitching and with the likelihood that injuries will not be the bugaboo that curtailed the offense and Beckett in 2008.

Good luck to Theo and the front office in sorting out the possibilities in the coming months!