EARLIER THIS week we ventured into the bullpen to see what was going on with the Red Sox’ pitchers and catchers as they proceed into Year 85 of the world-championship drought. You can find that column here.

As we mentioned, the future is pretty bright for the Sox’ staff, although another starter — perhaps Cuban defector Jose Contreras? — along with additional middle-relief help must be addressed.

In the meantime, the infielders and outfielders are also vegetating on their chaise lounges this off-season, so let’s go around the horn to see how the everyday roster is shaping up for the upcoming season.

Infielders — Some changes will be implemented, but probably not too many. First baseman Brian Daubach cannot stop looking over his shoulder yet, since his spot is not particularly secure. Having possibly lost part-timer Cliff Floyd to free agency this winter, the Sox have now apparently lost one competitor for the position, and Tony Clark — the biggest bust of last year’s off-season signings — will most likely hang ’em up and possibly begin a coaching stint, since Boston has definitely learned from its mistakes and bid adieu to the personable but over-the-hill Clark. Daubach, who earned $2.325 million last year, is up for arbitration, and his string of consistent .270, 20-HR season should earn him a contract of upwards of around $5 to $6 million, although the team may ink him to a long-term deal before the hearing. While free agent Jim Thome would be an adequate replacement, the Sox most likely can’t afford his $8 to $10 million price tag.

At second base, Rey Sanchez has hit the free-agent market, and while he was a bargain at $700,000 last year, the team believes that minor-leaguer Freddy Sanchez (no relation) may be ready to move up to the parent club and take that spot. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to re-sign Rey to help groom the rookie and perhaps provide back-up, but the Sox haven’t made any pronounced overtures to the elder Sanchez yet. Giants free agent Jeff Kent would be a solid upgrade offensively, but it’s unlikely that Boston could afford him, and his contribution to clubhouse chemistry is questionable. No question as to who’ll be at shortstop, as Nomar Garciaparra had a solid year back after missing the bulk of the 2001 campaign to wrist-surgery healing and rehab. While his pal, Derek Jeter, will make $14 million with the Yankees, Nomar is still an exquisite bargain at $10.5 million as part of the seven-year, $44.25 million contract that he signed in 1998. Things will get dicey at the end of 2004, when Nomar becomes a free agent, but that’s a topic for another day.

At third base, Shea Hillenbrand is locked into the hot corner, and he too was vastly underpaid at just $260,000 last season. He is not yet eligible for arbitration, and will pretty much have to pay what the Sox dictate unless he can secure a long-term deal with the team. Hillenbrand collected 186 hits and a .293 average in just his second year, and his is one of the first names that come up whenever opposing teams contact the Sox regarding trades. While he continues to be less than patient at the plate, as evidenced by his measly total of 25 walks in 156 games, Hillenbrand is a student of the game, and his defensive abilities are solid. He’s a keeper. As far as backups, local favorite Lou Merloni, who made a paltry $290,000 last year, is up for arbitration, and since he may be looking for security more than a huge payday, the pride of Framingham would be wise to offer the team a hometown discount in order to remain in the area. Carlos Baerga proved his versatility and his value as one of the top pinch-hitters in the league last year, and while he is technically a free agent after his one-year, $700,000 deal, it’s likely he’ll re-sign at a reasonable figure with the Sox, since he was such a great addition to the character of the locker room, and because he’s so chummy with Manny Ramirez and manager Grady Little.

While the infield is solid for the most part offensively and defensively, depth at these positions is a vital consideration for this team as it enters spring training in February. Along with the departure of Clark, second baseman Jose Offerman is no longer around, either, although that can only be construed as a blessing. If any of the aforementioned infield starters go down to injury, their current replacements represent a significant notch downward as far as offensive firepower goes, and Triple-AAA Pawtucket’s roster won’t offer much in terms of back-up either. The front office would be wise to include some reasonably priced utility infielders on their grocery list this off-season, with particular consideration given to Giants free agent David Bell, who remains an intriguing possibility since he can play second or third base.

Outfielders — Sayonara Rickey Henderson. While hopes were high during this past year’s spring training that the much-traveled outfielder could be a contributor here, it just didn’t work out that way, especially when the Sox acquired Floyd at the trading deadline. Both players are now available to the highest bidder, but only Floyd is still being pursued by Boston. The Red Sox are one of many teams interested in Floyd, and while he is injury-prone and somewhat reluctant to move into a first baseman’s role, his offensive numbers are difficult to ignore, and he was a key contributor during his brief stay here last fall. He played for three teams last season (starting in Florida, then moving via trade to Montreal), and if he decides he wants to put down some roots, there remains a decent chance he’ll be tipping his cap to the Fenway Faithful on Opening Day 2003.

Also soaking in the adulation that day will be last year’s AL batting champion, Manny Ramirez, who again put up monster numbers (33 HRs, 107 RBIs, and .349 BA in 120 games) when he wasn’t on the DL. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon because of his prohibitive contract (this third year of an eight-year, $160 million deal will pay him $18 million). He’ll spend a fair amount of time at DH along with his left-field duties, which will find him alongside centerfielder Johnny Damon, who is also locked up for the long-term, and year two of his four-year pact will earn him $7.5 million this season.

Over in right field, Mr. Old Reliable, Trot Nixon, is expected to finally hit the financial jackpot, having finally reached enough service time to reach arbitration status. Nixon, who could very well have been shuttled to Oakland as compensation for the Sox signing GM Billy Beane (before Beane reneged at the last minute), has yet to live up to the potential that Sox fans have continually waited for, and it’s difficult to imagine that just a couple of years ago the Sox refused a deal with the Cubs that would have brought Sammy Sosa here straight-up for Nixon. Nixon has generated pretty consistent numbers during his four full seasons here, yet after season averages of .270, .276, and .280 the first three years, he dropped to just .256 this past season. This will be a make-or-break season for the 28-year-old lefty who made $2.7 million last year, since the Nation is starting to wonder if he’ll ever become the bona fide superstar many had predicted him to be.

Also in the mix outfield-wise is free agent Benny Agbayani, but his best days are behind him, and whether he re-ups here is questionable. That’s about it, though, when talking about outfielders on the 40-man roster; again, the Sox’ lack of any action in the free-agent market is striking, and a big part of that inactivity can be traced to not having a full-time general manager in place. Nonetheless, it is evident that the Red Sox’ dearth of depth in the outfield mirrors their problems in the infield, and it is a need that must be addressed. Soon.

Recap — Meet the new Sox. Same as the old Sox. For better or worse, this is a solid roster of players who need to play up to their abilities and play better as a team (See: New England Patriots and Anaheim Angels, 2002.) We mentioned in this column all summer long how mind-boggling it was for a team that was in the top five in nearly all offensive and pitching categories and littered with seven All-Stars could fail to make the post-season. There is little doubt that that Red Sox management will be looking to cut costs, and that means that its pursuit of the upper-tier free agents may be blunted. And while this team has a proven core of players that can be regarded individually as stars, or potential stars, the fact is that the lack of clutch-hitting and solid middle relief cost the team numerous times last season. A 93-victory season was nice enough, but who knows how a timely hit here or there could have resulted in victory instead of defeat, a chain of events that could have thereby translated into a playoff spot and perhaps a rewriting of history.

The lack of reinforcements at key positions is striking, and must be shored up before the first balls are tossed in Fort Myers this spring. Yet in spite of the aforementioned problems, the fact is that if everyone stays healthy — which is a big if — this team can compete with anyone, and could potentially do some damage in the post-season if things fall into place better than they did last season.

But Larry Lucchino et al. have some work to do in to lay the groundwork for that run for the pennant, and it should start with getting a GM in place ASAP. With that hire, perhaps the farm system can be re-built, the free agents can be pursued, and the business of bringing some long-awaited success back to Fenway Park can get under way.

Pedro, Derek, Wake, Jason, Manny, Nomah, Shea, Johnny, and Trot provide a solid nucleus, and that’s a good start. It’s the finishing touches that have kept the Sox and their fans on the outside looking in for far too long.

Sporting Eye runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com, and Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com