Curt Schilling has re-signed (a surprise, but a pleasant one) and Mike Lowell appears close to re-signing (which is big because the Red Sox need him, and the Yankees likely wanted him).

A nice first couple of steps for Theo Epstein after the World Series.

Now all he has to do is figure out who the No. 2 catcher is, and who the utility outfielder will be, assuming Coco Crisp is not warm to the idea. The matter of Crisp is something Epstein will have to figure out.

When Schilling re-signed, it gave the Red Sox six starters - Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.

Can hear Terry Francona now with two of his favorite phrases: "You can never have enough pitching" (not a unique thought) and "These things have a way of working themselves out."

Considering how likely it is that someone will be injured (Schilling and Wakefield the prime candidates), six starters is not a bad idea.

But could a team use a six-man rotation? Do you want Josh Beckett pitching less?

Plenty of time to figure it out. Nice problem, this surplus of starting pitchers.

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