The Journal / Glenn Osmundson

BOSTON — It was a little slow going at the beginning, but the Red Sox have finally made some progress piecing together their club for the quickly approaching 2009 season.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein announced a few signings last week and is slated to make a few more official in the coming days. Rhode Island native and former Tampa Bay Ray Rocco Baldelli signed with the Red Sox. Right-handed pitcher Brad Penny did, too. Utilityman Mark Kotsay is expected to sign soon, along with veteran pitcher John Smoltz.

However, there’s still one big piece missing — a catcher.

“There is still some unfinished business,” said Epstein. “Jason (Varitek) is still out there, and we said at the beginning of the offseason he’s been a really important guy here and by no means have we shut the door on him. There’s still unfinished business there.”

While there is a possibility that Varitek will return, what happens if he doesn’t?

The Sox will continue to work on their catching situation but, if for some reason, a trade is not made or Varitek remains unsigned, it will be a good opportunity for prospects George Kottaras and Dusty Brown.

If the Red Sox begin spring training with their current catchers on the roster, then newly acquired Josh Bard will be the main masked man behind the plate, with Brown and Kottaras in tow. Just in case anyone is wondering whether any of them can handle knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, the latter two catchers can.

“We’re not done and we’re still going to work on this situation,” echoed Red Sox director of player development Mike Hazen. “I don’t think anything is set in stone. But I would hope both (Kottaras and Brown) think there is a significant opportunity no matter what happens. There’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty at this position right now, but that spells opportunity for younger players.”

The Sox realize that each player is different and carries their own strengths and weaknesses.

Kottaras doesn’t have the stature of your prototypical catcher. Despite his 6-foot, 185-pound frame, this left-hander can generate some power. He belted 22 home runs in Pawtucket last season with 65 RBI, while finishing with a .243 average in 107 games. He also impressed with his blocking and receiving skills.

When Kottaras first arrived in the Red Sox organization, in September 2006 as part of the trade that sent David Wells to San Diego, the one negative about Kottaras’ game was his softness behind the plate. That changed last season as he honed all his skills with the PawSox and earned a September call-up.

Brown, who was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 35th round of the 2000 draft, hit .290 with 12 homers and 55 RBI in 84 games for the PawSox last summer. Behind the plate, the 6-foot 180-pounder has a cannon of a arm with a good release.

“They are both interesting guys, and they complement each other well,” said Hazen. “They both had very good seasons last year. George probably felt he should have hit for a higher average, but when you get a catcher with that much power, you really overlook that. Both made a lot of strides.”

The Red Sox believe both made a lot of progress in 2008, but the all-important job as top backstop in Boston is not about to be handed to just anyone. It will have to be earned.

“They haven’t signed Varitek, but Varitek is their guy and he’s the captain,” Kottaras said. “He is the center of the, more or less, and I’m just coming into spring training ready to go and fight for my job.”

The Red Sox sent Kottaras, along with other prospects, to play in the Arizona Fall League. Once he was done there, he took a few weeks off before getting back at it in preparation for his trip to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. He left the day before Thanksgiving and played for a month. When he left there, he felt good about his play.

Kottaras returned to Toronto to spend Christmas and New Year’s with his family before leaving again for Arizona to continue his offseason schedule. He is in Boston this weekend for a few charity events.

“I feel great,” he said. “Every year is a battle. Nothing is ever handed to you. You always have to fight for your job and show the team and the organization what you can bring to the table. I’m going to try to build off my year last year. I thought I had a pretty good season at Triple-A.”

Because of his success, Kottaras earned a September call-up when he made his major-league debut and experienced a lot of big-league firsts. He posted his first major-league hit and learned what it would take to play at that level on a daily basis.

“It was a taste,” he said. “It was good to get my feet wet and watch those guys go about their business. When I did get my chance to get in the game, I tried to make the best of it. It was something I dreamed of my whole life. I worked pretty hard in the minor leagues and I’m going to continue to work hard and move forward in my career.”

When major-league rosters expanded in September, the Red Sox had a tough decision to make. They knew they wanted to add a third catcher for the last month of the season, and both Kottaras and Brown had earned a spot. But the organization felt it would be best to give Kottaras the opportunity.

“It was an extremely difficult situation,” Hazen said. “We only had a spot for one guy and at the time we felt George was a littler further ahead from a receiving standpoint, based on how he performed in the second half of the year. . . It was extremely close and a extremely difficult situation. Both guys worked hard and both guys deserved it.”

Like Kottaras, Brown also played winter ball in the Dominican this offseason and is working out at the Athletes’ Performance Institute in Arizona.

“This is a chance for them to seize an opportunity,” Hazen said. “I’m excited to see these guys come into camp and see what they can do.”

jmcdonal@projo.com