IT'S EASY JUST TO say, "Well, the Red Sox are playing at a .667 clip and are leading the majors in wins as of mid-June, so let’s just say that they’re a great team; there are no stars, just teammates," and let it go at that. Sure, that would be easy. Today, however, we’ll dig a little deeper, and take a look at the Sox’ roster, from top to bottom, ranked from highest salary to lowest, and find out who’s earning their keep, who’s just collecting a nice paycheck, and who’s providing the most bang for the buck. We’re talking multi-millionaires here (for the most part), so even a first-place team must have its share of slackers, right? Former Sox GM Dan Duquette recently stated that he still feels like this is "his" team, and compared the squad to an antique car that he rebuilt, only to be prevented from driving it once the automobile was completely restored and roadworthy. Well, let’s take a look under the hood and see what quality parts he installed to make this classic the best one on the road right now.

Manny Ramirez ($15,462,727 for 2002): When Manny went down with his broken finger, he was leading the league with a .372 average. He has played in only 33 of the team’s 63 games, but should he return with a vengeance and continue putting up monster numbers, he will be well worth the exorbitant sum he’s being paid. The fact that he got hurt on a "hustle" (!) play bodes well for the future. Though the Sox have played well without him, they should realistically be able to extend their lead in the AL East with him in the lineup.

Pedro Martinez ($14 million): Yeah, everybody grits their teeth and says a prayer before each Pedro outing these days, but he’s still 7-1 with a 3.28 ERA heading into the weekend. Not many people think he will last the whole season without one visit to the disabled list, but he’s got 94 K’s in 79 innings pitched, and most hurlers would take that without batting an eye. Whether the team can survive if it loses its ace to the DL late this summer is up for debate. But right now, Red Sox Nation still feels confident when Petey takes the hill.

No-mah Gah-ciapah-ra ($9 million): A .332 average, a league-leading 24 doubles, 51 RBIs, and the usual panache in the field. One of the Duke’s finest hours included the long-term signing of Nomar back in 1998, and though Number Five is woefully underpaid by today’s standards, he has resisted the temptation to complain (at least outwardly). The return of a healthy Garciaparra is one of many key components of the Sox’ continuing success.

Johnny Damon ($7.25 million): Another Duke coup. Snagging the speedster free agent in the off-season has transformed the Sox into a top defensive team and — gasp! — a running team. The Nation would be happy with his sparkling center-field play and his 16 stolen bases, but he is also batting a magnificent .340, leads the league with 55 runs scored, and is heading for a 200-hit season. Great clubhouse guy, too. This guy was a steal.

Darren Oliver ($7 million): No one expected Oliver even to make the team out of spring training, but he was a serviceable starter and collected four wins along the way. After fading in the rotation, he is now a set-up man who, like Rolando Arrojo, pitches in uninspired fashion if he is brought into a mop-up situation. He is certainly not worth $7 mil, but it sure beats having Carl Everett here, and Oliver may yet prove to be a valuable contributor if he can put his pride aside and pitch with a sense of urgency each time he takes the mound.

Jose Offerman ($6.75 million): He has proved versatile in the field, and makes occasional contributions at the plate. He is a pouter, though, who refuses to speak with the media, and just doesn’t seem to care enough. Though Sox fans have yet to embrace him, apparently his teammates like him, and I guess that’s what matters when you’ve got positive clubhouse karma. He’s batting only .233, but he’s also gotten only two errors playing the field this season and he gets on base a lot. This is probably his final season here, so get your tickets now and bring along extra hankies for this emotional farewell season.

Ugueth Urbina ($6.7 million): Another complicated personality who doesn’t like to deal with the media, and will have to work hard to become a fan favorite, but you can’t argue with a league-leading 19 saves and a 2.22 ERA. He shows great emotion on the mound, and though he does occasionally have a rough close-out, the fact is that he’s doing the job, and ever since the first weeks of the season, it’s become a trend that when Uggie comes in, a Sox win is almost a fait accompli. This was another Duquette gem that’s worked out well.

Dustin Hermanson ($5.83 million): Got hurt in the second inning of his first start of the season, and has been on the DL ever since. A manic personality and a tough cookie on the mound, Sox fans can only hope that eventually his pulled groin will mend and that he can become a significant contributor. In the meantime, however, the other starting pitchers have stepped up, and his return (next month?) should allow the Sox’ bullpen to become that much stronger. Right now, however, his grade is obviously "incomplete."

John Burkett ($5.5 million): The elder statesman of the Sox' rotation won his first seven decisions before losing a toughie against the D-Backs last weekend. He’s got a respectable 3.94 ERA, and the team usually backs him up with good run support. Since he's 37, it's hard to tell how many good years he’s got left, but this free-agent signing thus far has proven to be a good one, and as the second starter behind Martinez, his off-speed stuff is a nice contrast to Pedro’s heat.

Tony Clark ($5 million): A work in progress, even now. Clark got off to a dreadfully poor start despite an Opening Day three-run homer at Fenway, and his .209 average is very disappointing considering the money he earns and the fanfare surrounding his signing. His 6'7" frame at first base has saved many an infielder from a throwing error, but unless Clark heats up at the plate this summer, the Sox may have to say goodbye to this admittedly great clubhouse presence and find a bat that can do some damage.

Jason Varitek ($3.50 million): An unquestioned bargain for what you’re getting: a great defensive catcher, a top-notch game-caller, a switch-hitter batting a respectable .250, and a leader in the clubhouse and on the field. Varitek’s injury last year spelled the beginning of the end for the Sox' pennant hopes, and his return has brought the Sox back to the top of the league’s team ERA standings. He certainly could do more with the bat, but he has had explosive offensive outbursts, and his return to the day-to-day roster has been key to the Sox’ success.

Tim Wakefield ($3.2 million): After last season, free agent Wakefield was expected to seek greener pastures, but he re-signed with the team and continues to be the most versatile hurler in the club. You never know what you might get when he comes in from the bullpen, but you can’t argue with a 2.55 ERA and all the innings he eats up in his set-up role. He can also be a starter or a closer at a moment’s notice, and he's toned down his outspokenness regarding his perceived lack of respect and the way the team’s used him over the years. His knuckleballing exploits can make your heart race at times, but he’s a keeper, and certainly worth the paltry sum he’s making.

Derek Lowe ($3.125 million): What can one say? He has a 10-2 record, a spectacular 1.89 ERA, a no-hitter, and he’s on-target to be the All-Star game’s starting pitcher next month. He has made the transition from stopper to starter without a problem, and he has been the Red Sox’ single biggest surprise. His presence in the rotation practically guarantees that the team won’t have any lengthy losing streaks, and he has become what Roger and Pedro once were: an automatic "W" on the days he takes the hill. A long-term contract extension for Lowe would be a wise strategy for Sox bigwigs.

Trot Nixon ($2.7 million): What’s up with Trot? Two years ago the Sox refused to take Sammy Sosa for Trot, and now he’s scuffling along with a .239 average? Nixon is still a great competitor, and you just know that he gives a damn about the team and the game every time he takes the field. No one brings more passion to the lineup, and I don’t think anyone doubts that he will come around offensively. Soon he’ll be making the big bucks, but for the past four seasons the Red Sox have certainly gotten their money’s worth from Trot.

Tune in next week for the balance of the roster, including the bargain-basement components who are making $2.5 million or less, yet who are still vital cogs to the engine that has revved up the Big Red Sox Machine into the top-running sports coupe in the majors.