TORONTO -- As the 2006 season mercifully enters its final week, there are plenty of decisions to be made as the Red Sox attempt to right things for 2007.

In addition to trades and pursuing free agents from outside the organization, the Red Sox must make a determination about their own free agents, which number about eight, not counting late-season acquisitions like Kevin Jarvis and others.

Here's an educated guess about which eligible free agents the Red Sox want to return -- and which ones are likely spending their final six games in a Red Sox uniform.

Trot Nixon: Nixon spent significant time on the disabled list for the third straight season and goes into the final days with just 31 extra-base hits (23 doubles, eight homers) in 360 at-bats.

Some of the fall-off can be attributed to Nixon's biceps strain, which he played through for a time before succumbing to a DL stint. But at 32, Nixon will be looking for a multiyear deal and the Sox, noting his proclivity for breaking down coupled with the power drop-off, have to be scared about bringing him back.

If Nixon would accept a one-year deal, he might be able to continue playing for the only organization for which he's ever played. But that's highly doubtful.

Back or gone? Gone!

MARK LORETTA: Loretta has been the consummate professional and has delivered steady defense and a productive bat in the No. 2 spot. But the Sox have Dustin Pedroia waiting in the wings and will be able to save themselves $4 million or so by going with the rookie next year.

Back or gone? Gone!

ALEX GONZALEZ: For those who never got to see him much in the National League, Gonzalez has been a revelation in the field, the equal of any shortstop in the game defensively. Gonzalez has made just seven errors and if he's not the Gold Glove winner in the American League, there should be an investigation.

But Gonzalez's is hitting just .255 and has been notoriously streaky at the plate, going from under .220 for much of the first few months, up to as high as .291, then back down to his current number. If the Sox are intent on starting Pedroia at second, it's highly doubtful they would go into the year with so little offense from their double-play combination. In the A.L., shortstop is often an offensive position and the Sox believe they need to upgrade here.

Back or gone? Gone!

Doug Mirabelli: With the benefit of hindsight, the trade for Mirabelli was one of the biggest missteps of the 2006 season. The Sox gave up a far better catcher (Josh Bard) and tossed in a quality reliver (Cla Meredith) in order to get Mirabelli back to handle Tim Wakefield's knuckleball.

But Wakefield missed a good chunk of the season with a rib fracture and Mirabelli's one obvious skill went unused for months. In the meantime, he's on pace to be the first Red Sox hitter in more than 30 years to get 150 or more at-bats and finish under .200.

It won't be easy to find someone to catch Wakefield's signature pitch, but the Sox have little choice here.

Back or gone? Gone!

Mike Timlin: In the last half of the season, Timlin has looked every bit his 40 years of age, compiling a 6.68 E.R.A. over his last 34 appearances.

Should he return, it will be in a different role, as the Sox clearly need to find others to pitch the late-inning setup innings that he once pitched so well. Timlin would like to keep pitching to get to 1,000 career appearances and would like to come back. He'll have to do so for less money.

Back or gone? Back!

ALEX CORA: Cora is the consummate utility man, capable of playing three infield positions. He also possesses great instincts and is probably the team's best baserunner. Limited offensively -- he's hitting .241 and slugging a paltry .295 -- he's still of significant value.

Word is he'd like a two-year commitment to come back, which would be rare for a bench player.

Back or gone? Back!

GABE KAPLER: Kapler's return from a ruptured Achilles heel was inspirational and he remains one of the most beloved and respected players by his teammates. But his offensive skills have eroded and he's had trouble in the outfield.

Kapler is one of manager Terry Francona's favorite players, which probably has boosted his playing time in September at the expense of rookie David Murphy. There's been talk of Kapler being offered a spot as one of the team's radio broadcasters next season, but he has maintained an interest in continuing his playing career. If so, that will probably have to be elsewhere.

Back or gone? Gone!

CARLOS PENA: A late-season pickup, Pena might not have been added had the Sox gotten the deal done for Eric Hinske a day earlier. It had been Pena's dream to play for the Sox and he had his moment -- an extra-inning walk-off homer against Chicago earlier this month to cap the experience. But with Kevin Youklils established as the first baseman, Boston doesn't seem like a fit for the Haverhill resident.

Back or gone? Gone!

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340