Who Will Ride The Duckboats Down the Charles in 2014? #RedSox

-The Dip @noahattheark

Yes, I know it hasn't even been a week since the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games to win the 2013 World Series title, but the season is over and the Red Sox have quite a few holes to fill.

The easiest way to figure out what challenges lay in front of Cherington and the Red Sox front office is to go position by position.

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First Base: Mike Napoli is now a free agent, the Red Sox are expected to make him a qualifying offer, a 1 year offer that guarantees to Red Sox a compensation pick if Napoli signs with another club, allowing the Red Sox to also negotiate a long term deal with Napoli. There has been talk of moving Middlebrooks to first, but that now seems like a long shot.

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia will be there for along time to come.

Third Base: Will Middlebrooks? Xander Bogaerts? Xander is good short stop and with his abilities at the plate you will have to figure he makes the opening day roster at one of the two let infield positions. It would seem that Middlebooks has fallen out of favor with the organization but he is a skilled fielder and has a good amount of pop at the plate, so h should have a spot on the roster as well or he will be in the package that brings Giancarlo Stanton to the Sox next year.

Shortstop: Stephen Drew will also be mae a qualifying offer, he is an exceptional fielder but a liability at the plate. I would pencil in Xander at short next season.

Catcher: Salty is a free agent and David Ross is too old to play every day. There are not a lot of everyday catchers available, so look for Salty to re-sign this off-season.

Giancarlo Stanton, when clothed, could be a great compliment to the current squad

Left Field: Daniel Nava and Johnny Gomes will split time again next season

Center Field: Jacoby will get a qualifying offer a will more than likely be signed by the Mets or the Cubs for a lot more money and years than he is worth. The Red Sox may surprise everyone and over pay him but I doubt it. Jackie Bradley Jr. is waiting in Pawtucket but could probably use another year of seasoning. Shane Victorino can play Center and as I said earlier Giancarlo Stanton plays right field and would be a huge addition to this squad.

Right Field: Shane Victorino has 2 more years on his contract, so barring any trades he should remain there.

DH: Yeah I say go with David Ortiz, he's pretty good.

Starting Pitcher: Lester, Buchholtz, Dempster, Lackey, Doubront, and Peavy are all still under contract. That should work again this year.

Relievers: Closer: Koji!!  The rest of the bullpen should be better than 2013 with the returning Hanrahan and Bailey to the back end of the bullpen. There are already plenty of arms down there just have to have faith in the coaching staff to line them up properly.

The few holes that the Sox have are big ones, but with money, can easily be fixed.  Look for Boston to reload this off-season.