BOSTON — While the Yankees and Angels have a date to find out who will reign supreme in the American League in 2009, the Red Sox packed their bags Monday and are turning their focus to 2010.

After the Sox were ousted from the postseason by the Angels in a three-game sweep in the ALDS, Boston’s management team addressed its concerns and expectations moving forward. General manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona reflected a little on the “unfulfilled” and “frustrating” end to 2009, but they also did some foreshadowing and concentrated their thoughts and ideas on 2010 Monday afternoon at Fenway Park.

•A main goal for Epstein & Co. is to re-sign left fielder Jason Bay, who will become a free agent after the World Series.

Bay has said in the last two days he’s interested in testing the free-agent market. Still, the Red Sox could get something done before with Bay before he officially hits the market 15 days after the World Series is over.

Epstein said even though the sides tabled talks publicly last July, there have been “under the radar” negotiations to re-sign the left fielder.

“We really want Jason Bay to be a member of the Red Sox, and Jason Bay really wants to be a member of the Red Sox,” Epstein said. “We’ll just rely on those two strong elements of the deal and talk again and see if we can work something out. He’s a pro and we have a lot of respect for him and what’s he’s done since we acquired him. We couldn’t have ask for more from him since the day he put on a Red Sox uniform. It’s a good thing, too, because we traded a pretty good player [Manny Ramirez] for him. We want the relationship to continue.”

Epstein respects the fact that Bay has earned free-agent rights and expects him to at least listen to other offers. But the Sox’ GM also said their talks have been “unusual” because both sides want the same thing. There’s just a matter of coming to an agreement on terms and conditions.

“I’m comfortable here. I’ve said before it really doesn’t boil down to just dollars,” said Bay. “It’s not all about the money. The situation I was in before I came here in Pittsburgh — we weren’t winning a lot of games. When you come here, you win ballgames and have playoff opportunities and that’s a huge factor. It really makes baseball enjoyable again. A team that is set up to win and a place where my family is comfortable. I’m comfortable here. It’s more desirable than most places.”

•The Red Sox were hampered at shortstop all season due to injuries to Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie, forcing utility man Nick Green to serve as the full-time guy for the majority of the season until the club reacquired Alex Gonzalez in August. Gonzalez’s defensive prowess no doubt helped stabilize the infield. He has a $6-million club option (with a $500,000 buyout) for 2010 and it’s likely the Red Sox will pick it up.

Gonzalez said he would like to return to Boston, but he’ll let his agent and Epstein work that out during the offseason.

“We would all be comfortable bringing [Gonzalez] back under the right circumstances,” said Epstein. “Lowrie is an important factor for us, as well. He’s a young player we really believe in.”

As Epstein was quick to point out, Lowrie has been dealing with a severe wrist injury the last two seasons and has yet to prove he can play at the major-league level. The organization is not ready to hand the shortstop position over to Lowrie, but it believes when he’s 100 percent healthy, he’ll contribute.

• The Red Sox know what their 1-2-3 punch will be entering spring training with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, respectively, in the starting rotation. That leaves Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield in question.

The veteran knuckleballer will have surgery this week to repair a herniated disk that ruined his second half of the season. Epstein said the club expects Wakefield to be back and healthy next season. Matsuzaka was a big disappointment for the Sox and spent the majority of the season on the disabled list with shoulder strength and conditioning issues. Epstein expects Dice-K to arrive in camp in much better shape next season.

“That’s been clearly communicated,” said the GM. “There will be follow-up and our strong expectation is he shows up in fantastic shape on Day One of spring training. I see it as a necessity and not an option.”

•In the end, it was the Sox’ lackluster offensive production that hampered the club. Not having the David Ortiz of old at the start of the season certainly didn’t help. Fortunately for the Sox, he rebounded from a horrid first two months of the season and was able to finish with respectable power numbers (28 homers, 99 RBI) despite a .238 average. He has one year remaining on his contract and the Sox have already set goals for him in 2010.

“If he’s going to be the DH on this team, he needs to be a force,” said Epstein. “We’re a different team when he is that force. There will be conversations about what he needs to do to get back there, but it’s important for this club to be that force at DH.”

•Mike Lowell made it no secret that he wasn’t happy with his role in the second half of the season as his play was limited to keep the veteran third baseman’s surgically repaired hip as healthy as possible. Epstein, Francona and the club’s medical staff believe Lowell will have more mobility and his hip will be healthier in 2010. Francona admits he played Lowell too much in the first half, which could have affected him negatively. Lowell still finished the season with a .290 average with 17 homers and 75 RBI.

•With the way the Red Sox handled the catching situation down the stretch, it’s no secret Victor Martinez will be the man behind the plate in 2010. He has a $7-million option for next season, which the Red Sox will exercise.

“We made a trade that should address that for next year,” said Epstein. “Victor is about as good as you’re going to get. We’re really happy with him on and off the field with his leadership, his offensive ability and his desire to work with the pitching staff.