Turn, Turn, Turn

In and around Boston, the names Bill Belichick and Theo Epstein have become synonymous with genius -- Belichick for taking a rag-tag bunch of no-name castoffs and turning them into Super Bowl champions and Theo Epstein for turning the big-market Sox into perennial contenders.

Each has achieved a high level of success while jettisoning bigger names than their own from the payroll.

The Boston area has already witnessed the departures of Drew Bledsoe, Lawyor Milloy, and Nomar Garciaparra.

All signs indicate we have not seen the end.

Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez are three big names whose tenures in Beantown are dangerously close to expiring.

In all three cases, long-winded negotiations have dragged and it looks like the offseason will be interesting.

Pedro has continued to offer the same verbal cues he's offered every time a contract discussion is underway, hinting at leaving and possible retirement in an effort to strengthen his position.

Lowe has posted awful numbers this season, and even seems to have regressed since a 4-0 start with the revamped infield that Epstein acquired for him.

Jason Varitek is represented by notoriously voracious agent Scott Boras, making him a hard buy.

The question we can ask now is not will the players re-sign, because that involves a lot of speculation and a good deal may hinge on post-season results.

What can happen is a look at how hard the Red Sox will work to re-sign the players.

Each player is valuable in his own way.

Peter Gammons calls Jason Varitek the most valuable Red Sox, and is echoed by Angels manager Mike Scoscia (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1875672).

Varitek's value lies in his defense, his outstanding on-base-percentage, and his leadership.

Toss in his intelligence (9 steals on slow legs) and he is a must-have as a team leader.

In addition, minor league catching prospect Kelly Shoppach is not yet ready for the big show.

If the Red Sox are interested in remaining a contender, they will pursue Varitek vigorously, regardless of Boras' presence.

Lowe has had the greatest highs and lows of any Red Sox pitcher in recent history.

He came out of nowhere to become a dominant closer, then lost focus and turned into a bullpen disaster.

Eager to start, he was given the chance and promptly threw a no-hitter while posting impressive numbers across the board in his first season.

The next year, 2003, his win total remained high but his ERA and WHIP began a steep climb that has continued in 2004, where his on-again off-again struggles have frustrated the loyal Red Sox fan base.

However, the acquisitions of Orlando Cabrera and Doug Meintkewicz, defensive stalwarts whose presence particularly improve Derek Lowe's game, and his non trade at the deadline appeared to indicate the Red Sox were interested in keeping Derek Lowe on board.

His recent struggles (he was unable to reach the fourth inning in his last two outings) may have management second guessing their decision.

My guess is his postseason production will greatly influence their minds, and if last year's October heroics are any indication, Lowe may hang around in Boston for a good while yet.

Martinez is the thorniest case.

Every offseason it appears he will head elsewhere due to disagreements with management.

Then every season he looks like the happiest guy on the field, clowning in the dugout and hitting batters with alarming frequency.

This campaign marked the first time Pedro ever made the team photo shoot, an appearance that surprised skeptical teammates.

The Red Sox will certainly look to re-sign the man who many feel was the best in the game.

But will Pedro's asking price be too high?

He is a formerly unbelievably incredible pitcher who still performs at the top level of his position.

He also is older than he once was, and his slight frame is still considered a liability.

With several injuries behind him, can the Red Sox gamble on investing a large portion of their budget in a suspect arm?

Again, if the Red Sox want to remain competitive, I feel they will.

Other pitchers on the free agent market do not carry nearly the cache that Pedro does.

In addition, the franchise's minor league rosters have been deprived of top tier pitching talent through short-term trades.

The system is still two or three years away from producing major-league ready pitchers.

Look for the Red Sox to try and strike a short term deal with Pedro.

Will he sign?

That's a question only Pedro knows the answer to.

The history of the team ownership also raises a red flag.

John Henry's team won the world series with the Marlins, then stripped the team of its high-priced talent while ownership poised to head out the door.

Despite promises to the contrary, might the same thing happen to the high-priced Red Sox?

Stay tuned.