Replacement possibilities

Not to worry, said one major-league executive who has spoken with Sox officials. After the primary components have all been moved, Rodriguez to Boston, Ramirez to Texas, and Garciaparra most likely to the Dodgers, the Sox will set into motion a plan in which they will acquire a first-line outfielder who should help compensate for the loss of Ramirez, who for nearly a decade has been one of baseball's most productive righthanded hitters.

The Sox were not tipping their hand as to who that outfielder would be. Geoff Jenkins? The Milwaukee Brewers intend to re-sign him. Vladimir Guerrero, the best big bat on the free agent market? In terms of spending, the Sox are not yet in the same stratosphere as the luxury tax-busting Yankees, who will be flirting with a payroll headed toward the $200 million range, while the Sox try to stay under $120.5 million. For that reason, it would seem the Sox would not be in the market for some of the other high-priced outfielders known to be on the market, like Magglio Ordonez of the White Sox or Richard Hidalgo of the Astros.

The Red Sox have surplus pitching they could use in a deal, which is why one general manager speculated that perhaps the Sox might go after Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds. "The Cardinals have interest in both Scott Williamson and B.K. Kim," the GM said. "They might even be willing to take back [Johnny] Damon, too, because he's making less money than Edmonds, who could play center field for Boston while the Sox sign a righthanded bat like Reggie Sanders to play left field."

Another possibility could involve Cincinnati, the GM said, which might part with a young slugger like Adam Dunn or Austin Kearns if the Sox were willing to pick up the contract of pitcher Danny Graves, who can both start and relieve. The Reds might take Williamson or Kim in return, the GM suggested.

If the White Sox can't move Ordonez, they might be willing to part with a Carlos Lee, whose on-base percentage rose considerably last season as he cut down on his strikeouts and increased his walks. The A's, who need a closer after losing Keith Foulke to the Sox, are said to have interest in Kim, if the Sox would consider taking Jermaine Dye, a productive hitter before being slowed by injuries the last two seasons.

Sox GM Theo Epstein acknowledged yesterday the Sox would be willing to move Williamson in the right deal.

"If we can get Scott to a better situation as a starter or a closer and it works out for our club, that's something we'd be interested in doing," Epstein said.