Burnett

Now that baseball’s offseason has begun, teams are planning their strategy as players jump into the free-agent market.

Those players who are eligible for free agency have 15 days after the World Series to file, and many have already taken the plunge. General managers yesterday gathered at a posh hotel in Dana Point, Calif., to discuss possible trades and to talk to agents about their available free-agent players.

While there are a few major free-agent position players in the mix for GMs to vie for — namely Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira and Jason Varitek — it is the crop of solid starting pitchers that will earn much of the attention.

The Red Sox should be in the mix for, or at least interested in, high-end hurlers such as CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets and possibly Jon Garland.

Boston’s rotation heading into 2009 will have Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield in place. That means there is one opening. Adding a big name wouldn’t hurt, and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein won’t be afraid to look outside the organization for help.

It didn’t take long for the Brewers to make a formal offer to the left-handed Sabathia, who was acquired by the club at the trade deadline last July.

Sabathia

Sabathia (11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts in the second half) and his agent will no doubt explore other options. The Yankees, who missed the postseason this year for the first time since 1995, have made Sabathia their top priority this offseason. They probably will wait for all other clubs to make offers before dropping their trump card in hopes of landing the former Cy Young winner.

The problem with that is that Sabathia wants to play closer to home, in Southern California, which gives the Dodgers and the Angels a chance in the bidding. Even if the Red Sox feel they have no shot in the sweepstakes, they will try to drive Sabathia’s price tag up for other clubs, especially the Yankees.

Sheets

Sheets finished the season with a 13-9 record with a 3.09 ERA with the Brewers. Health has always been an issue with the right-hander, but the Red Sox have shown interest in the past in him.

Burnett has two years remaining on his deal with the Blue Jays and is due $24 million over that time. He has a clause that would allow him to opt out of his contract with Toronto and will probably pursue that option. Boston is said to be one of his hopeful destinations.

Lowe

Lowe proved to be a key member of the Dodgers in 2008, especially in the postseason, and the veteran right-hander will definitely draw some attention. There has been speculation that he could return to the Red Sox, but that scenario is unlikely given the fact he didn’t always see eye to eye with management during his tenure in Boston.

Jake Peavy is under contract with the Padres through 2012 with a club option for 2013, but he will probably be traded this offseason. The Red Sox have expressed interest.

If Garland does not return to the Angels, he could end up being a good fall-back option for another club.

The Red Sox also have a lot of in-house options to fill their No. 5 starter role.

Clay Buchholz, who has been pitching in the Arizona Fall League, will arrive in spring training in a situation similar to last year. The young right-hander will have to earn a spot in the rotation, something he earned, then lost, in 2008.

Justin Masterson, a starter by trade, proved he can handle the starting job and work as a reliever, too, in 2008. The right-hander’s stay in the bullpen, however, might have been short-lived and he could return to the rotation next season.

Prospect Michael Bowden made his major-league debut with the Sox last summer in a spot start and was impressive.

Curt Schilling (remember him?) filed for free agency last week and in all likelihood will/should retire, leaving the Red Sox with one less name to deal with.

The Red Sox have relied on their organizational depth the last couple of seasons, and if they can’t sign a big free-agent pitcher, they should still be fine on the mound.

From March until November the players battle it out on the diamond. During the winter months baseball’s executives and management personnel fight it out — on paper and in the wallet.

It’s an interesting time of year and this winter should draw plenty of attention.

jmcdonal@projo.com