The roster is finally taking shape.

Outfielder Rocco Baldelli is signed.

Starter Brad Penny is expected to be officially signed soon (probably today).

Start John Smoltz is coming aboard.

And first baseman/outfielder Mark Kotsay is also coming back, according to the Boston Herald.

And the catcher will be ... well, does Jason Varitek have anywhere else to go?

Getting Kotsay back is important insurance, with the uncertainties over the health of both Baldelli and Mike Lowell.

When Baldelli was added to the 40-man roster, knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink was designated for assignment. It's possible that the Sox will lose him.

Unless the Red Sox trade some pitchers ahead of him (Buchholz, Bowden, etc.), Zink has little chance of reaching the majors with Boston. His future may be with another organization.

With Penny, Smoltz, Kotsay and a catcher to be added, others will have to be designated.

Candidates include Jeff Bailey, Chris Carter and David Pauley ... Bailey seems to be comfortable with Boston and might come back under a minor league contract.

Devern Hansack is another possibility, but I think he is still valuable as a potential call-up, either as a starter or (more likely) reliever.

And don't forget the glut of catcher. Still thinking there will be a trade that will involve catcher George Kottaras.

Remember when Nomar Garciaparra was in his prime with the Sox and considered a future Boston legend and Hall-of-Famer? Expected to see that No. 5 up with the other retired numbers. But that was a lifetime ago. The No. 5 goes to Baldelli.

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