The Red Sox have not made an official announcement, but Johnson will likely be named to Terry Francona's coaching staff.

After former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills left the organization and was named the manager of the Houston Astros last month, Boston GM Theo Epstein began an internal search to replace him. As a result, a current Red Sox coach will be named bench coach and Johnson will serve on Francona's staff.

Johnson, 53, has managed in the minor leagues for the last 18 seasons, including the last 10 in the Red Sox organization.

Epstein & Co. thrive on developing talent in hopes those players can succeed at the big league level in Boston. Now, Johnson will get his chance to join the many players he has sent to the majors over the last few years.

Known as a very good evaluator of talent, Johnson is well respected by those in the Red Sox organization, especially the current players who played for him at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Johnson has managed current Red Sox players Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Manny Delcarmen and Jed Lowrie.

Johnson has worked in professional baseball for 31 years. He played a total of 22 games in the majors for the Royals (1982 and 1983) and the Expos (1984) as a first baseman.

His son, Chris, made his major-league debut for the Astros in September.

--JOE McDONALD

Manuel, a righty, made his major league debut with Cincinnati this season, pitching 4.1 innings of scoreless relief over three games. He was subsequently traded to Seattle for Wladimir Balentien, and spent the rest of the season with the Mariners' Triple-A Tacoma affiliate.

Manuel came into 2009 ranked as the 27th-best prospect in the Cincinnati system, according to Baseball America. He relies heavily on an 88-90 mph fastball, and a compact and deceptive delivery, while mixing in a changeup and slider. He is a late convert to pitching, spending his high school and junior college years as an infielder.

First signed by the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2005, Manuel owns a 24-17 record with 19 saves and a 2.88 ERA over 169 minor league starts. He has 339 career strikeouts vs. only 66 walks in 368.1 minor league innings.

The Sox 40-man roster now stands at 32 players.

Even after this season in Boston, when he went from an unknown to a household name among Sox fans, Green's future is uncertain. Green doesn't expect that he'll be back in Boston next season, though he'd love to be.

Green wants to start the season with a major league utility infielder's job, and it doesn't appear there will be a spot for him to do that in Boston. Theo Epstein said Thursday that Boston would be "acquiring a shortstop via trade or free agency" before the offseason ends.

That would likely make Jed Lowrie the utilityman, and Green would then presumably start the season in the minors as insurance. At 31, with 378 major-league games under his belt, Green wants to begin the season on a big-league club, and he elected free agency two weeks ago.

"I would love to go where somebody is telling me I pretty much have the job on a big league roster. I don't want to go spring training and basically be stuck in Triple-A. That's what the goal is this offseason, to find me a place where I can be on a big league roster to start the year."

If the Red Sox don't sign a starting shortstop, or the infield picture changes, Green would be elated to return to Boston as the utility infielder.

"I would've liked to stay with the Red Sox, but it's a business and that's how it goes. Just try see what's out there and see what the best fit might be. I don't know when that fit will come, but I'd like to know sooner rather than later, because it's always tough in the offseason not having a job," Green said.

After spending all of 2008 in the minors, Green, 31, came to spring training fully expecting to start the year in Triple-A. Then, injuries to the Boston infielders, and his excellent play, won him a spot. As Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie struggled to get healthy,

Green made the most of it, playing in 103 games and spending April through July as the regular starting shortstop. He hit .236 with six home runs and 35 RBI and played five positions -- including pitching two scoreless innings -- before herniating a disk in his back. The injury effectively ended his season, and forced him to undergo corrective surgery several weeks ago.

When assigned to Pawtucket two weeks ago, Green chose to become a free agent and test the waters, and he can start fielding offers from teams today. He may not see any for a while, however, as he expects teams will want to see that he makes a full recovery from the back surgery before signing him.

The surgery was successful, and Green is home in Georgia recovering well. He expects to begin baseball activities in a little over a month. He has to rehab the back, and rebuild the strength in his weakened quadriceps muscle, which lost power as the disk pressed on a nerve running down the leg.

"Everything went like it was supposed to go. They didn't have any problems with it, and I was up walking pretty quick -- I mean not walking very good, but walking," Green said.

Green is a natural second baseman, but with his powerful arm, he filled in acceptably at shortstop this season, playing 81 games at the infield's premier defensive position. Having now proven that he can play both middle infield positions, Green expects he'll be more marketable around the league.

In a perfect world, Boston, or his hometown Atlanta Braves would show interest (Green works out with Chipper Jones and Brian McCann in the offseason), but he knows that a utilityman is not in a position to be picky. He will be happy to go wherever a quality major league job is waiting.

"I enjoyed my time [in Boston], I had a blast the entire season. This was one of my most enjoyable seasons, for sure, 100 percent," Green said. "I would love to go there, but also, I have to see what teams want me, and what opportunity is there."

Tim Lincecum, the Giants' lean righty who recently was found in possession of several grams of marijuana when stopped for speeding in his home state of Washington, has won his second straight N.L. Cy Young Award, despite winning only 15 games -- the lowest, full-season total in the history of the award.

Of course, that was only one less than the A.L. Cy Young Award winner, Zack Greinke of the Royals, who won 16.

Then again, winning 16 games for the Royals is tantamount to winning 26, so there's no gripe with Greinke.

But the Cardinals had not just one, but two, pitchers who arguably had better seasons than Lincecum, who led the league in strikeouts with 261.

Adam Wainwright led the league in wins, going 19-8 for St. Louis, with an ERA of 2.63. He also struck out 212 in 233 innings.

The Cards' Chris Carpenter was 17-4, with an ERA of 2.24. Lincecum's ERA, by the way, was 2.48 while going 15-7.

The combined total of 31 wins for Lincecum and Greinke equals that of Denny McLain, when he won the award in 1968 with the Detroit Tigers. McLain was 31-6 that season, with an ERA of 1.96 and 28 complete games.

That's right -- 28.

Those really were the good old days, when men were men, and so were pitchers.

. Sandy Koufax won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 1964 and '65. He was 26-8 in '64, with an ERA of 2.04 and 382 -- 382! -- strikeouts in 335 -- 335! -- innings. He completed 27 starts that season. The following year, the Dodger's fireballing (his curve wasn't bad, either) lefty was 27-9, with a 1.73 ERA, 317 strikeouts in 323 innings, and 27 complete games.

Lincecum becomes the first pitcher to win successive Cy's since Randy Johnson won four in a row from 1992 through '95.

The Big Unit, like Koufax, had considerably more impressive stats than Lincecum. In those four award-winning seasons, Johnson went 17-9, with a 2.48 ERA, 19-7 (2.64), 21-6 (2.49) and 24-5 (2.32). His strikeout totals were 364 in 271.2 innings, 347 in 248.2, 372 in 249.2, and 334 in 260.

Greg Maddux also won the Cy Young four years in a row, from 1992 through '95, with win totals of 20, 20, 16, and 19. What dazzled were his ERA numbers -- 2.18 in '92, 2.36 in '93, 1.56 in '94 and 1.63 in '95.

As for the man for whom the award is named, Denton True "Cyclone" Young won at least 25 games 12 times in a stretch of 14 seasons between 1891 and 1904. Five times in that span he won 32 or more, including 33 for the Red Sox in 1901 and 32 for Boston in 1902.,

Especially when Ortiz is asking his peers to help out children, no one denies his request.

Along with Red Sox manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell, teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Lowell, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield will join Ortiz for his second annual celebrity golf tournament Dec. 3-6 at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The David Ortiz Children's Fund helps children in New England and the Dominican Republic who do not have access to critical pediatric services.

Other major league players set to attend the event include: Yankees' Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez, the Angels' Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, the Phillies' Pedro Martinez and Ryan Howard are also scheduled to attend.

Former Red Sox players Sean Casey, Jim Rice and Luis Tiant, along with Bruins legend Bobby Orr and Celtic great Jon Havlicek will also attend the event.

"I'm looking forward to gathering with all my friends for the second annual David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Tournament," Ortiz said. "It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase my home country while raising money for children who can't afford the healthcare they need. Everyone who participates is making a difference in the lives of these children."

The inaugural tourney in 2008 raised over $300,000.

"Seeing the support from everyone I called to come to my event and all the money we collected. It was pretty good," said Ortiz. "We helped a lot of children."

In addition to the event, there is an online auction that can be accessed by logging on to www.davidortizcelebritygolfclassic.com.

Former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills was named the new manager of the Houston Astros last month, so Boston has been interviewing internal personnel to replace him. Epstein admitted on Thursday one of the current coaches on staff will be named bench coach, and someone within the minor-league organization will be promoted to Boston.

Epstein and manager Terry Francona recently interviewed PawSox manager Ron Johnson, Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina, Red Sox minor-league field coordinator Rob Leary and the organization's outfield and baserunning coordinator Tom Goodwin.

"Tito's on a gambling bender for the next three days in Vegas, so probably shortly there after," Epstein said jokingly.

--JOE McDONALD

BOSTON _ The free-agent period for Major League Baseball begins on Friday and Jason Bay will be atop the list for available outfielders.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has had "dialogue" with Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, about the club's strong desire to re-sign the left fielder. Bay, 31, has said he would like to return to Boston, but also wants to experience the free-agent process.

Epstein met with a small group of Red Sox beat writers Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park and said there's nothing new to report on negotiations with Bay's camp.

"I think this part of the process is important to him. He'll see what it's like and see what's out there and ultimately make a decision," Epstein said.

Bay reportedly turned down a four-year, $60-million offer by Boston to test the market. The Sox and Bay have had discussions a few different times since last spring training, and Bay is an important offseason signing for Boston.

"He's a priority, certainly," said Epstein.

Since arriving in Boston via a three-team trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in 2008, Bay has been solid at the plate, in the field and an important factor in the clubhouse.

During his time in Boston he's posted a .274 average with 45 home runs and 156 RBI in 200 games for the Sox.

According to Urbon, teams from both the American and National leagues are interested in Bay's services.

BOSTON _ After the Red Sox were swept by the Angels in the ALDS last month, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein made it clear there were certain players he expected more from during the 2009 season, and he better see improvement in 2010.

David Ortiz was one of them.

Even though the Sox' designated hitter turned his offensive woes around in the latter part of the season, he couldn't completely recover from his early-season struggles. Overall, Ortiz finished with a lowly .238 average, but responded with decent power numbers, including 28 homers and 99 RBI.

During the three-game set against the Angels in the postseason, he went 1-for-12 (.083) with four strikeouts. Like the rest of his teammates, Ortiz was clearly disappointed and he wasted little time setting his sights on 2010.

He took only a few days off until he began his offseason workout. When he walked into the interview room Thursday morning at Fenway Park to promote his annual charity golf tournament, Ortiz was wearing workout shorts and a T-shirt and clearly has lost weight.

"He looks good. He's following through with a really good start to his offseason," said Epstein. He's lost some weight and he's in really good shape, so that's a good sign."

When Epstein addressed Ortiz's struggles last month, the GM said he expects nothing less than Ortiz returning to the powerful offensive threat he once was. Ortiz didn't argue with the statements.

"I've always been a force here. I've always been a guy who this ballclub counts on me and I know that for a fact," he said. "I'm going to prepare myself and try to come back and do it again. . . I try to kill myself exercising. I'm a big guy and no way can I sit down and watch TV and eat. I hate coming into the season with people saying that I'm overweight or I'm not in shape. I'm too old for that. You've got to take responsibility in whatever you do, especially your job."

Ortiz arrived at camp last February in tremendous shape, but once the season started his average and production at the plate were affected by a few off-field issues, including a report that he tested positive for steroids in 2003. He denied ever purchasing or taking performance-enhancing drugs and felt he was wrongfully accused. It didn't help matters much that his father was diagnosed with cancer.

As soon as Dustin Pedroia made the final out of the 2009 season, Ortiz quickly filed it all away.

Unlike last offseason, he's healthy and is not dealing with the recurring wrist injury he had a year ago and plans on beginning his hitting routine later this month.

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Ortiz has a little more incentive once the 2010 season begins. The 34-year-old's current will expire after next season and the Red Sox hold an option for 2011. Despite that fact, he says he will work and play as he normally does.

"I always look at my last year as my first one," he said. "What I'm doing right now I do every year. I don't want you guys to think what I'm doing right now I'm doing because it's the last year of my contract and I have to put it together. I do this every year because I want to bring my best to the field."

Ortiz is confident his personal goals will be reached in 2010, but what about the club itself. With the free-agent period beginning on Friday, there are some issues Epstein needs to fix and some holes that need to be filled if the Sox are to enjoy postseason dominance.

A year ago at this time Ortiz made it very clear he wanted a high-profile player with an explosive bat added to the Sox' lineup. That player - Mark Teixeira - eventually signed with the Yankees and was one of the reasons why New York won the World Series in 2009.

Entering this offseason Ortiz's wishes are the same.

"When I said that a year ago everyone was looking at me like I was a [expletive] clown," he said. "When I said we needed another 30 home-run hitter guy people thought I was crazy and was talking trash. Well, there you go. Everyone will always welcome a 30 home run hitter any time, any day and in any situation. You want to compete with [the Yankees] you've got to bring it - period."

Jason Bay, who produced 36 homers and 119 RBI in 2009, is a free agent and even if the Red Sox re-sign him, Ortiz feels another big bat in the lineup is important to the club's success.

"We always need help We always need guys capable to produce power and RBI," he said.

There's no denying the fact by the Yankees adding players such as Teixeira and pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, all were huge factors for New York winning the World Series.

"This division is hard to play in, so you've got to get stronger," Ortiz said.

He added: "Next year is going to be the one year where there's a lot of expectations around here."

Kottaras' release is little surprise, as Victor Martinez is slated to be the team's catcher in 2010, with Varitek returning as his backup.

Kottaras, 26, is out of minor league options, meaning he can no longer be shuttled up and down between the minor leagues and the majors without being exposed to other teams.

Shortly after his release, Kottaras was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.

The midseason acquisition of Martinez also helped make Kottaras expendable; Unlike Varitek, Martinez has proven that he can catch Wakefield's knuckleball.

The Canadian-born Kottaras was acquired in 2006 from San Diego for pitcher David Wells. He hit .237 with a .308 On-base percentage, one home run, 11 doubles, and 10 RBI in 93 games for Boston this season.

Kottaras began 2010 playing every fifth day, catching Wakefield's starts, but with Wakefield injured for most of the season's second half, Kottaras sat out as well, placed on the disabled list with what appeared to be an extremely minor back injury.

Field level seats will cost $130 for individual games and $125 as part of season tickets bought by Dec. 16, the team said Monday. Green Monster seats will rise to $165 and $160.

While they are among four areas with $5 increases along with loge box and Green Monster standing room, 12 areas will remain the same and four will have $2 hikes.

Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said the increases were some of the team's lowest average percentage rises in 15 seasons. Sixty-three percent of the tickets will be $52 or less.

Ticket prices will be frozen again for spring training games at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

-- by the Associated Press

It's that time of the year in the baseball world when individual players are honored for their accomplishments on the field.

Starting with the American and National League Rookie of the Year awards, which were announced on Monday afternoon, the Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce its string of honors over the next week.

Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey won the A.L. ROY, while Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan took home the NL award. The Cy Young, Manager of the Year and MVP awards for both leagues will follow and for the first time in recent years a Red Sox player or manager is not in the mix.

No doubt it's a gratifying day for the individual award winner when Jack O'Connell, the BBWAA's secretary-treasurer, calls to inform the person of their accolade. When Bailey, a New Jersey native and Connecticut resident, received his call on Monday morning, he thought it was a crank phone call.

Each winner responds differently to the announcement, but there is one common theme from most winners, especially from the rookies, that is a testament to the tradition of the awards themselves and the individuals who win them.

Most, if not all, are humble, appreciative and go out of their way to thank their teammates, calling the individual award a team effort.

"My numbers I put up this year is something I can build off for next year and try to repeat or do better," Bailey said. "For me, my goal is long term and obviously winning this award is a complete honor. It's a stepping stone for the future of my career and the Oakland Athletics."

Of course there's a little bit of ego involved. There has to be because pro athletes wouldn't succeed if there wasn't. When Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia won the Rookie of the Year in 2007, he had similar comments about his teammates, winning and the future, which showed how an award of this prestige can turn even a constant trash-talking player into a modest human being.

"You definitely want to make an impact your first year in the big leagues and establish yourself as an every day player - a good player," Pedroia said the day he won. "Once the season carried on I started to have success, and the only thing I cared about was helping the team win because that was our ultimate goal."

The Sox did win the World Series in 2007 and Pedroia followed up with the A.L. MVP in 2008. He constantly talks about the importance of winning is greater than any individual award. He would rather win the World Series than anything else.

In Pedroia's case, he started the 2007 season on a horrid pace for almost the first two months. He turned it around and eventually won the ROY. During that magical season he said he never once thought about the award. He was just concentrating on the job at hand.

Bailey had a similar mindset this season while he was mowing down opposing hitters and holding them to a .167 average.

"Personally, it wasn't something that I thought about," he said. "The media and all my teammates would bring it up, especially at the end of the year I would hear something about it every day. You just have to put it in the back of your mind. You're out there doing a job and you can't be out there thinking, 'I need to strike this guy out,' or, 'not give up a run because the Rookie of the Year voting depends on it. You can't think that way. You have to go in [and concentrate] on each batter and each pitch and get the job done."

Bailey put up some impressive numbers, including 26 saves with a 1.84 ERA. He walked only 24 batters and struck out 91 in 83 1/3 innings of work for the A's.

Looking back on the season and the impact both Bailey and ROY runner-up, the Rangers' Elvis Andrus, had against the Red Sox, it was obvious both were talented and well-deserving of the award. Bailey was 0-0 with 4.50 ERA and two saves in three appearances (four innings) against the Sox.

Andrus, a very talented shortstop dominated the Red Sox in the eight games he started against Boston, posting a .346 batting average (9-for-26) with 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 5 runs and 5 stolen bases. Defensively, too, Andrus was very solid.

It was a disappointing season for the Red Sox when their Fall Classic hopes were erased when they were swept by the Angels in the ALDS. No player in Boston won a Gold Glove this season and only free-agent outfielder Jason Bay won a Silver Slugger Award for the Sox.

With the remaining BBWAA awards to be handed out over the next few days, the Red Sox will likely be kept off the winners list. Still, it's fun time of baseball's offseason to recognize those individuals who made history for their accomplishments.

For more on the bride, you can find her official bio here, on Clubine's personal web site.

The Portsmouth native is almost completely recovered from his surgery in September where he had a plate and screws inserted into his clavicle to repair the damage.

"He's doing great," said Red Sox director of player development, Mike Hazen. "He has no pain and his range of motion is back 100 percent. Everything went really well and we have no concerns right now physically."

Westmoreland will be able to begin the organization's strength training program on time right after Thanksgiving in Fort Myers, Fla. He was selected by the Sox as the 172nd overall pick in the 2008 draft and already is showing a lot of promise.

He hit .296 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 7 homers, 35 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .401 on-base percentage in 60 games for the Spinners last summer before the injury.

--JOE McDONALD

Barajas has spent 12 seasons as a minor-league trainer, including the last five for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was recently promoted to Boston and will serve as assistant trainer for the Red Sox under Mike Reinold.

During his tenure with the PawSox, Barajas earned the International League's Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2007.

Now he's taking his skills to the big leagues.

"It's a dream come true for me," he said from his home in Arizona. "Getting into the major leagues, in general, has definitely been one of my career goals from when I first started athletic training. It's been dream I've been pursuing for 12 or 13 years at least."

He's already planning his transition to Boston logistically, but from a work standpoint it will be a smooth one. He's worked with most, if not all, Red Sox players either in the minors, during spring training or during rehab assignments. This is definitely a comfortable situation for him because of his experience.

"My job is changing venues, but I'm very comfortable working with the guys," he said. "I'm very comfortable with the organization and the guys and I think that's a big plus for my job."

Former Red Sox head trainer Paul Lessard was recently let go by the team after four seasons in Boston. Reinold, who was the assistant trainer/rehab coordinator, is head athletic trainer for the Red Sox.

--JOE McDONALD

Former Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills was named manager of the Houston Astros recently, which left a vacancy in Boston.

General manager Theo Epstein and Francona are interviewing internal candidates and have their list down to four, including PawSox manager Ron Johnson, Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina, Red Sox minor league field coordinator Rob Leary and Tom Goodwin, the organization's outfield and baserunning coordinator.

It's possible whoever receives the promotion won't necessarily be the Sox' bench coach as the club could shuffle its current coaching staff if needed.

Highly-regarded pitching coach John Farrell, who turned down an opportunity manager the Cleveland Indians to stay in Boston, will remain in his role along with hitting coach Dave Magadan.

Third-base coach DeMarlo Hale enters his fifth season in his current role and is considered very good at it. He could also serve as the bench coach.

First-base coach Tim Bogar enters his second season with the Sox. He has 22 years of experience in pro baseball and was also a candidate for the manager's position in Houston before Mills was named to the post. If Hale was named bench coach, Bogar could coach third.

Johnson, who has been a minor-league manager for the last 18 years, including the last 10 in the Red Sox organization, could be a first-base coach in Boston. Along with his daily managerial duties for the PawSox, he also is the club's third-base coach.

DiSarcina, a Massachusetts native who played 12 years in the big leagues, has been managing the Spinners for the last three seasons. Given his experience he could fill a number of roles.

Red Sox bullpen coach Gary Tuck also has experience as a bench coach and could fill that role in Boston, too. If Tuck is moved into that role Leary, who is a former catcher has been in the Red Sox organization for almost nine seasons and has also served as the roving minor-league catching coordinator (2002) before being promoted to his current role, could become the bullpen coach in Boston.

Red Sox staff assistant Alex Ochoa just concluded his first year as a pro coach after an eight-year major league career. His job could also change.

Goodwin has been in the Red Sox organization for the last two seasons after completing his 14-year major-league career. He played for the Dodgers, Royals, Rangers, Rockies, Giants and Cubs.

A decision should be made very soon.

--JOE McDONALD