The Sox are likely done wheeling and dealing this year (unless they can pick up a veteran backup middle infielder or outfielder, or middle to late-inning reliever on waivers), meaning that this is pretty much the roster with which we'll end the season (with the obvious exceptions coming in the forms of injuries, demotions and call-ups). The 2008-09 offseason promises to be a big one in terms of free agent spending with guys like Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez (maybe you've heard of him...), C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett all expected to hit the market. That being said, let's take a look at some possibilities for the Sox:

Outfield
The starting outfield's set with Bay, Drew and obviously Ellsbury under contract for next year. Crisp, as well, is still under contract for $5.75 million in 2009 with an option for 2010, so they'll likely still go with him as their fourth outfielder in a super-utility role (i.e. have him fill in for all 3 outfielders by putting him in center and moving Ellsbury over to right or left as they've done this year). Only thing they might do with the outfield is bring in a veteran guy (no, not Jay Payton...) along the lines of a Mark Kotsay (to whom they've been linked in the past) for depth reasons and/or in the event that they get any decent offers for Coco (a big if, to say the least).

Infield
Lowell, Pedey and Youk are firmly entrenched at third, second and first respectively, but the big question mark in the infield is Lugo. The Sox will do all they can to unload him after the season (perhaps even eating most if not all of the money still due to him), so the question after that is whether or not they enter the season with Lowrie as the full-time starter. There are several very intriguing options out there (most notably Rafael Furcal, who's been vocal about his desire to remain on the Dodgers), but given Theo's recent lack of success signing free agent shortstops, they'll likely stick with Lowrie (and Lugo, if they don't dump him on someone else) for now. They'll be losing Cora, whose 2-year deal is up (and who doesn't look likely to return as his brother's White Sox will probably be looking for a backup of his caliber), so they may look to add a guy like Adam Everett, Juan Uribe or Omar Vizquel in a backup role.

Starters
The core of Beckett, Matsuzaka and Lester will remain intact. Wake seems happy going year-to-year at this point, so he'll be back for his age 43 season if he so chooses (chances of that look good right now). The Sox will once again give Buchholz the opportunity to be their fifth starter, but if this season is any indication they will need some insurance in case he falters. There are plenty of lower-end options including recently acquired Paul Byrd, Livan Hernandez, both Perez's, etc. that the Sox may like to see perform in spring training action, but none of the cheaper possibilities stand a reasonable chance at supplanting Buchholz as the final starter. I'm sure we'd all be happy if they signed Sabathia or Sheets, but that doesn't look likely as Beckett will need to be re-signed during or after the '09 season.

Relievers
The Sox won't be losing anyone from the back of the bullpen as Pap, Delcarmen, Masterson and Okie (whose '09 club option for $1.75 million will almost definitely be picked up) will all be back. Timlin could be done unless he agrees to come back for minimum dollars and a substantially reduced role. Even then, the Sox may not view an investment in the 42-year-old as money well spent. Aardsma's been mostly solid and could be back for relatively cheap, and Lopez could have a spot again as he's been pretty good in his usual limited role. Young guns like Michael Bowden and Daniel Bard look ready to make the leap (if not totally, then they're right on the doorstep), but the Sox have remained adamant in taking their time with both, especially Bard. The reasoning is that they don't want to rush them and have them fail early (a la Craig Hansen). Expect the Sox to take a hard look at guys like Brian Fuentes, Brandon Lyon, Eric Gagne (haha, just kidding), Jeremy Affeldt and Will Ohman, among others.

Ultimately, it doesn't look like there are any blockbuster signings in the works for the Sox this offseason. They could always throw us a curveball (Get it? A baseball joke!) and announce a Sabathia signing, but I doubt it. Stranger things have happened, though (like the Astros trading to get Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins because they still think they're in it for some reason...).