Pitching depth can come and go, depending on health, and prospects being able to fulfill potential.

As we wait for word on the Johan Santana trade, here is how the Red Sox organization looks from the mound, in Boston and on the farm:

Red Sox starters: Josh Beckett, 27; Daisuke Matuszaka, 27; Clay Buchholz, 23; Jon Lester, 24; Curt Schilling, 41; Tim Wakefield, 41.

Purposely put the "old men" at the end to show how Boston is primed for years to come (Santana, by the way, will be 29 when the '08 season starts).

Red Sox prospects:

Justin Masterson, 22. Incredibly mature with a Major League sinker. But sometimes that sinker did not sink last year (4.34 ERA in Portland)

Michael Bowden, 21. Had a 4.28 ERA once he was promoted to Portland, but he was only 20. Could have a strong season in Portland.

Kris Johnson, 23. One of several first/sandwich round draft picks in 2006, Johnson was impressive in Class A (forget the 5.56 ERA in wind-blown Lancaster). The lefty will be in Portland in '08.

Nick Hagadone, 22. The Red Sox top pick last year. Another lefty, with limited time in Lowell last season (1.85).

Dustin Richardson, 24. Had a 2.74 ERA in four games in Lancaster last year. A fifth-round pick. Another lefty.

Daniel Bard, 22. The Red Sox top pick in the 2006 draft struggled in '07. But he may find new life as a reliever. Pitched out of the bullpen in the Hawaii fall league and had a 1.08 ERA in 16 games.

How many of these arms will pan out? The Red Sox don't need much if their under-30 pitchers in the Boston rotation stay healthy.

One more note on the proposed Santana, concnerning the possibility of trading shortstop/second baseman Jed Lowrie:

The Red Sox have some depth in middle infield. Not only does Boston have shortstop Julio Lugo for three more years, and a Rookie of the Year at second base (Dustin Pedroia), but Boston just put 20-year-old shortstop Argenis Diaz on the 40-man roster.

Diaz hit .358 in Hawaii this fall and the Red Sox wanted to make sure someone did not scoop him up in the Rule V draft. Since he is on the 40-man, it figures that Diaz will be in Portland next season.

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