“Do not be upset, instead smile, the future is bright with all these young studs!” he wrote.

David Ortiz posted a short note on his social media accounts on Wednesday thanking fans and teammates. He’s looking to the future now, both his and that of the Red Sox.

Signing Mookie Betts to a long-term extension should be a priority of the Red Sox.

It’s a valid point. The Red Sox are losing Ortiz and his impossible-to-replace presence but return nearly every other significant player from a team that won 93 games and won a division that sent three teams to the playoffs.

In an offseason that started too early, there are only a few holes to fill.


The Red Sox will have approximately $37 million-$50 million coming off the books depending on whether they exercise the $13 million option they hold on Clay Buchholz.

That is certainly sufficient to sign an expensive free agent. But there is not necessarily a need to do that.

The Sox have five starting pitchers returning, six if Buchholz comes back. The free agent market offers little in the way of palatable options.

It’s also impractical to believe one free agent or trade acquisition could replace Ortiz, as both manager John Farrell and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on Tuesday.

Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion had 42 homers and 127 RBIs. He also turns 34 in January and will command at least a four-year deal. The Sox already are heavy in righthanded hitters and DH types.

Using Hanley Ramirez as a DH would allow the Sox to play Pablo Sandoval, Travis Shaw, and eventually hard-hitting prospect Sam Travis.

Ramirez could split time at DH and first base and allow others to rotate through the DH spot.

“He might be both,” Dombrowski said. “To me, he did a fine job at first base. Personally, I like the option of doing both because if you have that flexibility it probably fits with us better given our personnel.”


Payroll flexibility might be better served for midseason needs or pursuing contract extensions with young stars such as Mookie Betts.

Here’s a look at the contract status of every player on the 40-man roster or disabled list:

Under contract

RHP Craig Kimbrel (signed through 2017 for $13 million; $13 option for 2018) — He had a rocky first season in Boston, posting careers highs in ERA and WHIP. But the velocity was there.

2B Dustin Pedroia (signed through 2021 with $71 million remaining) — Now the longest-tenured player on the team, Pedroia is coming off one of the best all-around seasons of his career. He had a .394 on-base percentage batting leadoff.

RHP Rick Porcello (signed through 2019 with $62 million remaining) — His deal looks a lot better now than it did a year ago. Porcello turns 28 in December and is smack in the middle of his prime.

LHP David Price (signed through 2022 with $187 million remaining) — If he goes 35-0 with a 1.50 ERA, the first question after the season will be whether he can pitch well in the playoffs. Hey, he wanted to come here.

1B-DH Hanley Ramirez (signed through 2018 with $44 million remaining; $22 million vesting option for 2019) — He has a 1.014 OPS in 36 career games as a DH. He could be a monster in that spot.

3B Pablo Sandoval (signed through 2019 with $53 million remaining; team option for 2020) — Two words for those who believe the Panda is beyond redemption: Hanley Ramirez.


OF Chris Young (signed though 2017 for $6.5 million) — His job is to hit lefties. He had a .999 OPS against lefties. He should get plenty of at-bats as an outfielder and DH.

Team options

The Red Sox hold 2017 contract options on these players. The decision is due shortly after the World Series.

RHP Clay Buchholz ($13.5 million option for 2017 or $500,000 buyout) — He pitched well as a starter down the stretch and showed he could be effective in relief. Verdict: Keeper.

C Ryan Hanigan ($3.75 million option for 2017 or $800,000 buyout) — Hanigan played only 89 games the last two seasons and hit .219. Verdict: Goner.

Free agents

INF Aaron Hill — He hit .218 after being acquired from the Brewers with little power. Verdict: Goner.

RHP Junichi Tazawa — The fate of middle relievers is to get used up and cast off. Tazawa did a lot for the Sox but he has been trending down. Verdict: Goner.

RHP Koji Uehara — A one-year, $5 million deal with incentives and the idea that he would pitch in 50 games makes sense. Whether he accepts that is uncertain. Verdict: Keeper.

RHP Brad Ziegler — He was routinely excellent for the Sox over 33 games. But Farrell sees Ziegler as a righthanded specialist and he does not share that view. Verdict: Keeper, but he likely goes elsewhere.

Arbitration eligible

Under team control but must be offered a contract by Dec. 2. If necessary, their 2017 salary would be determined by arbitration. If they are not offered a contract, they become free agents.


LHP Fernando Abad — He pitched very well for the Twins and looked like a good pickup when the Sox acquired him at the trade deadline. But Abad pitched poorly and seemed overwhelmed at times by the atmosphere around the Sox. Verdict: Goner.

LHP Robbie Ross Jr. — He has been well over league average in two seasons and can fill different bullpen roles. Verdict: Keeper.

RHP Joe Kelly — He still thinks he’s a starter, but Kelly finally showed value in relief this season. He had a 1.02 ERA in 14 appearances and opponents hit .203. Verdict: Keeper.

LHP Drew Pomeranz — It seems inevitable some sort of major injury will befall him. He also may be better as a reliever in the American League. But Farrell says he’s a starter. Verdict: Keeper.

INF Josh Rutledge — He played only 67 games the last two seasons and is coming off knee surgery. Verdict: Goner.

UTIL Brock Holt — Injuries limited him to 94 games this season and his offensive production dropped. But his value remains high and he’s in line for a well-deserved $1.7 million deal. Verdict: Keeper.

SS Xander Bogaerts — His OPS dropped from .863 in the first half to .729 in the second half. Bogaerts needs to invest in a better offseason conditioning program so he can grind through the summer. Verdict: Keeper.


C Bryan Holaday — His nickname is “Doc” and he seemed like a good guy. But the Sox have a lot of catchers. Verdict: Goner.

RHP Brandon Workman — He has not appeared in a major league game since 2014. Tommy John surgery and other injuries have sidetracked him since. It would be hard to tie up a roster spot given the uncertainty. Verdict: Goner, but back on a minor league contract.

OF Jackie Bradley Jr. — Like Bogaerts, he tailed off in the second half. But a defensively gifted center fielder with an .835 OPS is well worth the $3.3 million deal he’s in line for. Verdict: Keeper.

C Sandy Leon — He hit .206 with a .520 OPS in his final 32 games, so there’s a decent chance that offensive surge in June and July was a one-time thing. But he’s a solid catcher and will get a chance to keep the job. Verdict: Keeper.

0-3 years of service

Under team control and not arbitration eligible. They are guaranteed at least the major league minimum.

OF Andrew Benintendi — He showed plenty and you get the impression there is plenty more to come. How he hits lefties will be something to monitor.

RHP Matt Barnes — He had a 113 ERA-plus over 62 appearances and pitched two or more innings seven times. The former first-round pick found his place.

OF Mookie Betts — The best deal of the offseason would be signing him to a long-term extension.

OF Bryce Brentz — Once a 40-man roster spot is needed, he could go. The Oakland Athletics will love him.

LHP Roenis Elias — A solid starter for two years in Seattle, he was little factor with the Sox. But Elias provides starter depth.

RHP Heath Hembree — Righthanders had a .591 OPS against him. There’s plenty of value in that.

INF Marco Hernandez — He’s the modern-day Carroll Hardy after replacing Ortiz in his final game. But the 23-year-old can swing the bat and has a chance.

LHP Williams Jerez — He was the only healthy 40-man roster player not to get in a major league game. Jerez was 1-6 with a 4.71 ERA for Portland as a reliever. It’s a bit of a mystery why he’s still on the roster.

LHP Brian Johnson — He could use some winter ball after pitching only 95 minor league innings. The former supplemental first-round pick (2012) could get over the hump next season.

SS Deven Marrero — Counting Triple A and the majors, he hit .195 with one home run in 375 at-bats. He can really play shortstop but doesn’t have much of a future in Boston.

3B Yoan Moncada — The Sox foolishly threw him in a pennant race out of Double A and he was overwhelmed. Moncada should get a full season at Triple A in 2017. There was a lot of swing and miss in Portland.

LHP Henry Owens — He has a 5.19 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 85 major league innings. They should move on but lack of depth may prevent that.

RHP Noe Ramirez — He’s middle relief fodder and could be dropped if roster space is needed.

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez — There’s no denying his talent. A little more fortitude would be welcomed. That he was not deemed worthy of a playoff start should be motivation.

LHP Robby Scott — He showed some promise in September and will have a chance to compete for a spot.

3B-1B Travis Shaw — He had an .851 OPS through June 4 and .629 afterward. Can he iron out the wrinkles?

RHP Carson Smith — His loss to Tommy John surgery was a blow to the bullpen. Look for a return around the All-Star break.

C-OF Blake Swihart — He’ll be 25 come the start of the season, so now is the time to grab a job. But it’s uncertain where he fits.

C Christian Vazquez — His post-Tommy John surgery season was a muddle. He should come off winter ball determined to wrestle his job back from Leon.

RHP Steven Wright — An All-Star season was wrecked by being used a pinch runner. How he rebounds will be a key for 2017.

In exile

These players were outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple A Pawtucket. Their salaries do not count against the competitive balance tax as a result.

OF Rusney Castillo — He has five years and a whopping $56.5 million on his contract. He also isn’t any good.

1B-OF Allen Craig — He has one year and $11 million remaining on his contract with a $1 million buyout for 2018. Counting the minors, Craig has hit .222 for the Red Sox.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.