Boston reportedly will make a serious bid for first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

When the Red Sox drew up their offseason blueprint, they realized they had one significant advantage over much of the competition: Boston doesn’t have a drastic need to do anything.

Most of the Red Sox’ roster losses come from the bench or middle relief. Without the need to make a big splash in free agency, the team could be active in the trade market if the right deal is there.

“We don’t feel like there’s anything we absolutely have to do,” said general manager Theo Epstein in an interview after the season, “but there are going to be a lot of opportunities out there. Teams like a lot of our players. We like a lot of other teams’ players. Maybe there will be a fit out there.”

Much attention has been focused on the destination of free-agent catcher Jason Varitek, with the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Indians possible suitors. Varitek could, of course, re-sign with Boston, or the Red Sox could seek a catcher in trade, such as Texas’ Gerald Laird or Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The free-agent market for catchers is weak, with only one, Boston’s David Ross, under 33 years old.

Beyond Varitek, however, the Red Sox’ starting lineup and rotation should remain mostly intact. Varitek, Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon, Mark Kotsay, Ross, Alex Cora, Sean Casey and Paul Byrd all have filed for free agency in the last week, but beyond Varitek, all played part-time roles last season.

Red Sox free agents

With the Red Sox having picked up their $4-million option on Tim Wakefield, only reliever Mike Timlin has yet to file for free agency. Epstein said yesterday at the general managers’ meetings in California that the Sox will be moving forward without the 42-year-old Timlin, who may retire. He also said the Red Sox will likely not bring back first baseman Casey, a well-liked veteran who batted a quiet .322 in 199 at-bats this season.

Schilling, too, may leave the game. He wrote on his Web site, 38pitches.com, that “I don’t have a job, I am likely retired” while talking about the presidential election. In an e-mail to the Journal Monday, however, Schilling said nothing is decided yet.

Epstein came to the GMs’ meetings after a stop in Arizona to observe Pawtucket product Clay Buchholz, who could project as Boston’s fifth starter or a trade chip, depending on whether the Red Sox sign a free agent or get another starter in a trade.

“Depending on the work Clay does this fall, and what kind of winter Clay has with building up his strength and his mindset, he could come to camp being anywhere from our fifth starter to our seventh starter,” Epstein said.

Pitching

As it stands now, Boston’s rotation would include Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and the recently re-signed Wakefield. Reliever Justin Masterson could also join the rotation if the Red Sox do not find help elsewhere.

The Red Sox could show some interest in the top free-agent pitchers on the market, including CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, but will not break the bank if a fit isn’t right, Epstein said –– and the same applies to middle relief if they need to fill the holes vacated by Timlin, Byrd and potentially Masterson.

“Why go spend $15 million, $20 million on a set-up guy when you think by midseason someone like Masterson might be able to do it? I think that same dynamic exists, to a certain extent, this winter. We have some young players who might be three months away who we could count on perhaps by the middle of the season to play a role,” Epstein said.

The Sox might open the checkbook for another Japanese import, however. The Boston Herald reported yesterday that the Red Sox are the “perceived front-runner” to sign 22-year-old right-hander Junichi Tazawa.

Long-term deals

Unlike other recent offseasons, the Red Sox may make a push to lock up their young core for the long term. Farm products Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis and Lester all could be signed to long-term deals rather than risk their going to arbitration.

The Red Sox are expected to resume talks to lock up Pedroia, who made $457,000 in 2008, on a significant deal. The two sides were talking during the summer, but talks broke down for unknown reasons. Pedroia and the Sox did not talk contract for the rest of the season, and have not discussed the issue yet this offseason.

It may be in the team’s best interest to ink Pedroia to a deal quickly. The American League MVP will be announced on Nov. 18, and if Pedroia wins, his price will likely go up. The same possibility exists for Youkilis, who received an offseason raise last year and saw his salary go from $424,000 to $3 million.

Possible moves

New York’s Newsday reported on Sunday that the Red Sox will make a serious run at Angels first baseman Mark Teixeira, who made $12.5 million this year but is expected to look for close to $20 million. The team showed some interest in the first baseman during the summer, when Atlanta dangled him, but pulled out after hearing that the price was Youkilis and pitcher Craig Hansen.

But if they could sign Teixeira, they reportedly would move Youkilis to his former position, third base, and try to shop the 36-year-old Mike Lowell.

Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras, did not return calls seeking comment yesterday.

Other areas of possible change are shortstop and center field.

Opening Day shortstop Julio Lugo is owed $18 million over the next two years, with a $9-million team option for a third year, but the veteran didn’t make the postseason roster after having been replaced by Jed Lowrie for much of the season. It seems likely that the Red Sox would move Lugo if they could get value in return, particularly a catcher.

Coco Crisp’s name also is reportedly in trade rumors. Crisp’s stock was down coming into this season, but after a strong second half, he supplanted Jacoby Ellsbury in the postseason and his name has value again. He is owed $5.75 million in 2009, with an $8-million club option for 2010. In a package with one of the Red Sox’ young pitchers, a Masterson or a Buchholz, perhaps, he might net an interesting player in return.

If Crisp goes, Rhode Island’s Rocco Baldelli, a free agent with the Devil Rays, would make an intriguing fourth outfielder for the Red Sox. Due to a mitochondrial disorder, he cannot play every day, but could be valuable to the Red Sox as a right-handed bat off the bench. It’s unknown, however, whether he wants to play so close to home.

dbarbari@projo.com