It’s tough to figure out which free-agent reserve players the Sox might be interested in.

General manager Theo Epstein said Wednesday night that the team has an interest in approximately a half-dozen players, all of them role players.

Since the pool of backup catchers is rather shallow — Rod Barajas was considered, then ruled out — it’s a safe bet that most of the action centers on someone to replace Eric Hinske as the backup first baseman.

Russell Branyan has been talked about, though it seems he’s pretty far down on the list, probably because of his high strikeout totals.

Other possibilities could include Ryan Klesko and Corey Koskie, both of whom are left-handed — an added bonus.

From the right side, there’s Jeff Cirillo — who, like Koskie, plays third base — and Olmedo Saenz.

-SEAN McADAM