Firing Squad

1. Terry Francona... gone.

2. Theo Epstein

3. John Lackey

4. JD Drew

5. Marco Scutaro

6. David Ortiz

7. Jason Varitek

8. Josh Beckett

9. Kevin Youkilis

10. Daisuke Matsuzaka

Would anyone really be surprised if the other 9 people I've listed were not on the 2012 Boston Red Sox? JD Drew is easy, he's already checked out. That leaves 8 more names. John Lackey, I can pretty much guarantee he's gone. There is no way that man can show his face in a Red Sox uniform next season.

Kevin Youkilis, apparently is a clubhouse problem. Your fringe MVP, Jacoby Ellsbury can't stand him. Youk is oft-injured and did not look all that comfortable playing third this season. A trade to a team that loses out in the Albert Pujols/Prince Fielder sweepstakes would make a lot of sense. He could go back to being a gold-glove first baseman/DH.

Scutaro, Ortiz and Varitek all have contracts up. If Theo is gone, these guys will definitely be gone. I didn't bother putting Wakefield's mug up there, that SHOULD be a foregone conclusion.

New management will probably want an ace on his staff and Josh Beckett is not that guy. Someone will want him, and he will be dealt; as will Matsuzaka.

I think the question is, what players are "safe" during the winter? It's not that long of a list. Gonzalez, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester, Buchholz, Saltalamacchia, Lavarnway (just earned that spot in the final week of the season, that's for sure,) I think they will bring back Papelbon, and, dare I say Carl Crawford.

This team is about to go through some major changes. Buckle up.