It’s getting down to the nitty gritty.

“It’s the time,’’ said one scout at Dunedin Stadium yesterday during a long rain delay at a Sox-Blue Jays game that eventually was postponed, “when we need to see pitchers so we can formulate a final plan as to what we’re going to go after. We all pay attention to the guys who are out of options that a team might move before they go on waivers. It’s a hectic time for everybody because organizations have meetings and some realize [they’re short].’’

But it’s not just final roster pieces. It’s issues such as contract extensions, trades, what to do with fringe players who are out of options such as Red Sox righty Boof Bonser. The Sox need to sort out some of their issues before camp breaks, including:

Mike Lowell — Not a day goes by that the talent evaluators don’t mention Lowell’s name. There’s interest from representatives of several teams, who actually state how much Lowell could help them. But getting from that point to actually pulling the trigger is often a slow process. One reason for the indecision is that so far Lowell has had minimal time in the field (he got one chance at third yesterday in Fort Myers). He was slow this spring getting out on the field while nursing his right thumb, which had surgery, and now anyone interested in Lowell — the Marlins, Twins, Rangers, Brewers, etc. — have to make fairly quick evaluations that 1) he is solid enough physically to take a chance on, and 2) he’ll be able to last into the dog days of the season.

“Mike Lowell can still hit,’’ said one American League scout. “If the risk is minimal with the money I don’t see why you’d be afraid to take the chance, but you would like to see more of him at third, especially, because the general consensus is that first base is fairly easy for him.’’

While the decision about whether Lowell starts the season with the Sox could be linked to how David Ortiz looks (Lowell could DH against tough lefties), the Sox don’t want to deal him if Ortiz suddenly slumps again.

Here’s the other problem: If Adrian Beltre is slumping and Lowell is still around, what kind of pressure does that put on Beltre?

Josh Beckett — There hasn’t been much out of either side recently after the initial word that contract talks had started out amicably and that medical language was being discussed. One baseball source indicated yesterday there’s still a “good chance’’ Beckett and the team could reach an agreement before Opening Day, but not to be surprised if it kicks into the season. And even if it does take longer, that shouldn’t be taken as a sign a deal won’t get done.

David Ortiz — Scouts who watched him early didn’t see a very good picture and questioned whether he will return to prominence. But the ones who have seen him lately consider Ortiz all the way back. Which one is it? One scout said he’s seen the Ortiz who went 1 for 19 and the one who has picked it up the last two weeks and his conclusion is, “A little bit short of what he was, but a good middle-of-the-order hitter who pitchers still have to worry about.’’ Fair enough. In a lineup that could have some frustrating hitters like Beltre and Mike Cameron, Ortiz can’t be one of them if this team is to be successful.

Bill Hall — Everyone expects Marco Scutaro to be healthy and play most of the time at shortstop, but the Sox have to be sure that Hall not only can be a short-term answer but a long-term answer if Scutaro should have a relapse of plantar fasciitis or another malady. So far, Hall’s play at short appears to have eased the fear of the brass, though the team is still exploring a backup infielder.

The last thing the Sox want to do is rush Jose Iglesias to the majors, but the almost universal opinion of baseball people is that Iglesias, who will start his professional career at Double A Portland, could handle the job in the field right now if an injury occurred.

Victor Martinez — There have been no contract talks with Martinez, who can be a free agent at the end of the season. One reason could be that the Sox have to yet to define what Martinez’s role will be following this season. Will he remain the catcher? Will he replace Ortiz as the DH? Will Kevin Youkilis move over to third if Beltre’s option isn’t picked up and would Martinez then be the first baseman?

With Joe Mauer’s eight-year, $184 million contract extension, the Sox now can forget about him and concentrate on getting Martinez signed.

Daisuke Matsuzaka — Some remain skeptical that Matsuzaka will return to his 18-win form of two years ago, but the Sox are cautiously optimistic again that he is turning the corner on his minor injuries, which have included an upper-back problem and a stiff neck. Matsuzaka looked good in two-plus innings of a minor league game yesterday. He’s a couple of weeks behind and likely will be ready by late April.

Alan Embree — Embree remains confident he can get into the flow before Opening Day. The Sox would love that second lefty in the pen, but as manager Terry Francona often points out, he’d rather have a righty who can get lefties out than a lefty who can’t get lefties out. So Embree making the squad is far from etched in stone. There are still other lefties like Ron Mahay and Joe Beimel out there.