Ephemera 21

09:16 PM EDT on Thursday, September 29, 2011 By BRIAN MacPHERSON Journal Sports Writer In many ways, the Red Sox next season will look much like the Red Sox looked this season. Most of the key contributors — from Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia to Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and John Lackey — are under contract for next season. A handful of Red Sox go into the offseason with more uncertainty. David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon, J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield will all be free agents. Marco Scutaro and Dan Wheeler could become free agents if the Red Sox decline to pick up their options. But not many of them were in much of a mood to talk about their respective situations in the immediate aftermath of the season-ending loss in Baltimore. “I don’t even want to talk about me and situations right now,” Varitek said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.” “You’re asking me?” Scutaro said. “I just work here. Ask the big boss.” Ortiz and Papelbon figure to represent the biggest challenges the Red Sox face. Both played at exceptional levels this season, the collapse of the team not withstanding. Ortiz hit 40 doubles and 29 home runs to go along with a .398 on-base percentage, his highest since 2007. Papelbon bounced back from what was, by his standards, a subpar year a season ago to post a 2.94 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.7. Both figure to field lucrative, multiyear offers — offers the Red Sox might or might not match. Neither wanted to think much about that late Wednesday night. “That’s something that I can’t control,” Ortiz said. Papelbon called Boston “obviously an organization I want to play for.” “I think I’ll be remembered as a guy who came up through the organization and learned how to play baseball the Red Sox way, point-blank, and helped bring a 2007 World Series to the table,” he said. “Those things don’t go away. Times like this, they go away.” Tim Britton contributed to this report.Status Report A look at the contract status of key Red Sox players Under contract •Adrian Gonzalez: Signed for seven more seasons; will make $21 million in 2012 •Carl Crawford: Signed for six more seasons; will make $19.5 million in 2012 •Josh Beckett: Signed for three more seasons; will make $15.75 million in 2012 •John Lackey: Signed for three more seasons; will make $15.25 million in 2012 •Kevin Youkilis: Signed for one more season, plus team option in 2013; will make $12 million in 2012 •Daisuke Matsuzaka: Signed for one more season; will make $10 million in 2012 •Dustin Pedroia: Signed for three more seasons, plus team option in 2015; will make $8 million in 2012 •Jon Lester: Signed for two more seasons, plus team option in 2014; will make $7.625 million in 2012 •Clay Buchholz: Signed for four more seasons, plus team options in 2016 and 2017; will make $3.5 million in 2012 •Marco Scutaro: Contract includes $6-million team option and $3-million player option for 2012 •Bobby Jenks: Signed for one more season; will make $6 million Total payroll committed for 2012: $121.625 million Arbitration-eligible players Alfredo Aceves Matt Albers Mike Aviles Daniel Bard Jacoby Ellsbury Rich Hill Jed Lowrie Andrew Miller Jarrod Saltalamacchia Free agents Erik Bedard J.D. Drew Conor Jackson Darnell McDonald Franklin Morales David Ortiz Jonathan Papelbon Jason Varitek Tim Wakefield Dan Wheeler