Red Sox don't exercise their option on Foulke
On a day Theo Epstein listed a closer among the needs of the Red Sox as he heads into next week's general managers meetings in Naples, Fla., Epstein announced the team was not exercising the $7.5 million option on Keith Foulke, who as closer helped the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series title.
Epstein will have to get creative in the weeks ahead because the market for closers isn't strong, though Foulke, who was beset with knee, elbow, and back issues last season but pitched well late in the year, could exercise his $3.75 million player option to return to the Sox by Friday.
The team was expected to decline its option, and if Foulke doesn't return, he's owed a $1.5 million buyout; he also gets that if he exercises the $3.75 million option, bringing his total compensation to $5.25 million.
"We're going to try and acquire a closer through trade or free agency," Epstein said. "If we can't, there are certain options internally where we would turn to next. It's very early in the offseason. So it's not yet clear how our bullpen is going to shape up. Certainly we're in the market for someone with the ability to close games."
Efforts to reach Foulke's agent, Dan Horwits, were unsuccessful.
Epstein acknowledged that the Sox "have a lot more needs than we've had the last couple of years, in no particular order: starting pitcher, a couple of relievers [one lefthanded, preferably], a right fielder, a backup catcher, a shortstop, and fill the bench with quality players to complement the regulars." Epstein later added second base to the list.
Because the new collective bargaining agreement eliminates all deadlines by which teams can sign their own players, it will be interesting to see how quickly things unfold. Usually, the GM meetings are where the foundation is laid for deals, according to Epstein. However, teams can start making offers Sunday.
The Red Sox have made several calls to free agents, including Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, and Ted Lilly, but Epstein would not confirm whether they made a bid for Japanese righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka, though some baseball executives feel the Sox are in the thick of it. The bidding for Matsuzaka closes today.
Epstein said the team has had conversations with Alex Gonzalez's agent, Eric Goldschmidt. However, the Sox have had a great deal of interest in Julio Lugo, who also could fit at second base.
Epstein had this to say about Dustin Pedroia, who is another option at second base: "Dustin had a very good year at Triple A. We feel he's right on the cusp on being ready, and a lot depends on how the offseason goes both from an organizational standpoint and what he's able to accomplish this winter as far as conditioning to get himself ready to play every day at the big league level.
"It could go either way. If it broke that way, we'd be comfortable having him in our big league picture."
Epstein also announced a revamping of the pro scouting department. "There was a need for some changes," he said. "We kept our scouts who we thought were doing a good job and we brought in some very talented scouts that hopefully will make us better.
"That's one area where there's so much competition where it's hard to be a great organization without excellent pro scouting. We're very excited about our new scouts and having Allard Baird's experience, and that should serve us very well."
Epstein tapped former major league infielder Gary DiSarcina to be the baseball operations consultant. The Billerica native, who worked as an analyst on NESN last season, will assist Epstein and the baseball operations department in the areas of major league transactions, professional and amateur player evaluation, and minor league instruction.
DiSarcina has operated the Baseball Academy in Billerica and was on the coaching staff for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
The Sox also reassigned Portland manager Todd Claus to major league advance scout, splitting the duties with Dana Levangie. Claus was Baseball America's Double A manager of the year after guiding the Sea Dogs to an Eastern League championship.
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. 
