Questions:

Will the New Year bring Johan Santana?

And if Jon Lester is included in the deal for Santana, then the Red Sox still have six starters, including Clay Buchholz. But you can't go with a six-man rotation, because you want Beckett and Santana every fifth day, right?

So will it be a five-and-a-half-man rotation, with Buchholz starting in on occasion to spell Dice-K and the old guys, Schilling and Wakefield.

What if Lester is not in the deal and Ellsbury goes instead, and you then have seven starters?

And if Ellsbury does not go, what of Coco Crisp; i.e., could he handle the fourth outfielder role?).

Anyone know who will back-up Youk on first?

Is Doug Mirabelli in as No. 2 catcher, or will Boston look for another nice guy who can handle the knuckleball, and bat higher than .200?

Devern Hansack is my longshot pick for a place in the bullpen. What say you?

Craig Hansen?

If Justin Masterson is not traded, and his sinker consistently sinks, might he make it to the Boston bullpen this year?

Speaking of Masterson, Hansack and Buchholz, they are to be included in a special camp the Red Sox hold every winter for prospects who may make it to the majors in the upcoming season. According to the Boston Herald's Rob Bradford, 11 prospects have been invited: Masterson, Hansack, Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Hunter Jones, Jed Lowrie, Aaron Bates, Bubba Bell, Dustin Richardson, Dusty Brown, and Jon Van Every.

The camp is in early January. Let's see if Masterson and Lowrie are still around.

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