Could sophomore Papelbon return to the Red Sox closer role sometime this year?

OUTFIELD: WHITE SOX

Darin Erstad (.221-0-5-8-1 in 95 ABs with the Angels)

Scott Podsednik (.261-3-45-86-40 in 524 ABs)

Brain Anderson (.225-8-33-46-4 in 365 ABs)

With Jim Thome at DH, and Jermaine Dye in RF, there are only 2 more starting spots for these three OFs. Podsednik is obviously the most interesting fantasy player because of his speed, he has stolen at least 40 bases in 4-straight seasons, but he had offseason surgery on his groin and is still hoping he will be healthy enough to start the season on the big league roster. As a result, the team took a chance on Darin Erstad to hit at the top of the order (he will likely hit 2^nd in the order against right-handers). Considering Erstad is coming off his worst season and has years of wear on his body, it remains to be seen if he has anything left to offer from a fantasy perspective. The team has been waiting for Anderson to step up to grab a role, though he has struggled at the ML level despite his obvious physical gifts. One of his main problems at the plate is a lack of discipline and knowledge of the strike zone, a fact that can plainly be seen in his horrible 0.33 BB to K ratio last year (30 BB, 90 Ks). The team really wants him to step up, but even his .276 average in the pre-season may not be enough for him to gain a full-time spot in the lineup, especially since he is currently dealing with a sprained ankle.

SP: WHITE SOX, 5th STARTER

Gavin Floyd (4-3, 7.29 ERA, 34 K, 1.88 WHIP in 54.1 IP with PHI)

John Danks (9-9,4.24 ERA, 154 K, 1.41 WHIP in 140 IP at AA/AAA)

Charlie Haeger (14-6, 3.07 ERA, 130 K, 1.36 WHIP in 170 IP at AAA)

Floyd was a first round draft pick of the Phillies in 2001, but he just hasn't been able to put things together in his brief major league career, so look away if bug numbers scare you: 6.96 ERA, 1.74 WHIP in 108.2 career innings. He does own decent minor league numbers (3.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP with a 7.0 K/9IP) and has killer stuff including a 90+ fastball and a heck of a yacker, but even if he grabs the fifth spot temper your expectations considering his terrible 1.18 career K/BB ratio and poor preseason of 14 runs allowed in 14 IP.

Danks came over to the Sox in the trade that sent Brandon McCarthy the other way to Texas. Danks will be only 21 on opening day, and while scouts predict he will eventually be a #2 starter, he still hasn't thrown a single ML pitch and sports a 21-30 record with a 4.20 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 426.1 minor league innings, though he does have a 9.27 K/9IP rate at that level. He allowed 6 runs in 3.2 IP in his last spring outing, certainly not something that will get him the final rotation spot.

Haeger is a knuckleballer, and we all know how difficult it is for younger players to gain control of that pitch. Haeger has had some minor league success with a 31-27 record and 3.69 ERA, though he needs to work on refining the pitch to gain better control (4.10 BB/9IP).

RP: BOSTON CLOSER

Mike Timlin (6-6, 4.36 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 9 SVs in 64 IP)

Joel Pineiro (8-13. 6.36 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 1 SV in 165.2 IP)

Brenden Donnelly (6-0, 3.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 0 SV in 64 IP)

Craig Hansen (2-2, 6.63 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 0 SV in 38 IP)

Julian Tavarez (5-4, 4.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 1 SV in 98.2 IP)

Jonathan Papelbon? (4-2, 0.92 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 35 SVs in 68.1 IP)

Around and round the merry-go-round goes, where it stops, nobody knows. About the only certainty here is this; the team does not want to go with Papelbon as it's closer because the feeling is that his touchy shoulder will be better protected as a starter. That being the case, it will be a free-for-all for the spot.

Craig Hansen still figures to be the closer one day in Boston with his high 90's heat and dastardly slider, but he has had trouble getting ahead of hitters and staying consistent with his control. Timlin figured to be the #1 option at the start of the season because of his experience, but he injured an oblique and might not make the opening day roster as a result. Donnelly brings moxie to Boston this year, but he has given up 9 hits with an ERA of 6.75 in 6.2 innings this spring and his ERA and WHIP have both increased in each of the past three years. Pineiro was brought over, ostensibly, to be converted into a reliever after some extreme ineffectiveness the past couple of years as a starter. So far this spring he has an ERA of 4.16 and has allowed 12 hits in 8.2 IP, which when combined with last season's poor 4.73 K/9IP mark as a starter with the Mariners makes it a curious move to count on him at the end of a game. If you think Tavarez is a good candidate, you probably don't know a heck of a lot about that game called baseball. However, it sounds like the Red Sox might actually be considering it meaning that they might need to book some tickets to the Caribbean in October because no team with Tavarez as its closer is going to win the World Series. A trade is seeming more likely by the day.

Eric Gagne had as dominating a 3-year run as any reliever who ever lived (2002-04). Unfortunately, Gagne has thrown a total of 15.1 innings over the past two season after back and elbow problems. Supposedly he is healthy once again, but are back and elbow surgeries the type of procedures you want done on your closer? Gagne has thrown too some minor leaguers this spring, but he has not yet even faced ML hitters. Reports also have his fastball at about 91-92 mph, or about 5 mph below where it used to be. Therefore, the chances of Gagne starting the season on time and lasting throughout the year are about as good as me winning American Idol for my melodic singing voice (that can only be heard in the shower). The bottom line here is that if you draft Gagne you simply must handcuff him with Otsuka who is going far too late in most drafts, around the 175^th pick, considering he could be the team's closer on opening day.

Ray Flowers, a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) and the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), can be reached with comments and questions at: rayf@sportsgrumblings.com.