The World Series is about to get underway, but at Fenway Park, the focus has already shifted to the 2022 season.
Changes will be coming -- that much is inevitable -- though Chaim Bloom did note Monday that he didn't believe in change for the sake of change.
Here's a look at the Red Sox 40-man roster for now -- including contractual status going forward, and the likelihood (or not) of players returning.
PLAYERS CURRENTLY SIGNED TO CONTRACTS:
Chris Sale: Sale is under control through 2024, with a club option in place for 2025. He's considered the team's No. 1 starter.
Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts is under control through 2025, though, critically, he has an opt-out in his deal after 2022. It remains to be seen whether the Sox will be proactive in getting Bogaerts to opt-in this winter.
Matt Barnes: Barnes signed a two-year extension for $18.75 million (plus a club option for 2024) in July before things went sideways for him. They remain confident that he can reclaim his form.
Hirokazu Sawamura: Sawamura had a largely successful rookie season with the Red Sox and will earn $1.2 million in 2022.
Nathan Eovaldi: Eovaldi has one year remaining at $17 million.
J.D. Martinez: Martinez has one year remaining at $19.35 million, though he can opt out. He must inform the Red Sox of his intention within five days of the conclusion of the World Series. Consensus is split on which way Martinez is leaning.
Kiké Hernandez: Hernandez will make $8 million for 2022, a bargain after his first season with the Sox.
PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AGENCY
Adam Ottavino: After a strong first half of the season, Ottavino faded badly over the final two months, perhaps wearing down from the workload. He likes Boston, but he'll turn 36 next month and may be looking for a longer commitment than the Sox would be interested in.
Eduardo Rodriguez: Rodriguez had an up-and-down season and it's unlikely the Sox would be willing to make a multi-year commitment to him given his performance in 2021. A qualifying offer ($18.4 million) remains a decent possibility.
Hansel Robles: Take away one poor appearance against his former team and Robles appeared in 24 games with a 2.25 ERA. He could return on a one-year deal similar to the one he had this season ($2 million).
Danny Santana: Hard to imagine his return, given performance and injury history.
Travis Shaw: He'll likely be looking for an opportunity where he can earn more regular playing time than with the Sox.
PLAYERS WITH MUTUAL OPTIONS FOR NEXT SEASON:
Kyle Schwarber: Schwarber has a unique mutual option for $11.5 million. The Red Sox would jump at that and bring him back in an instant, but it's impossible to believe that Schwarber would exercise his side of the deal, knowing he could fare far better on the open market. A return isn't out of the question, but.....it's complicated.
PLAYERS WITH TEAM OPTIONS FOR NEXT SEASON:
Christian Vazquez: Vazquez has a $7 million option for 2022, which the Red Sox will almost certainly exercise.
Garrett Richards: Richards has a $10 million option for 2022, which the Red Sox will almost certainly pass. It's conceivable he could come back if he's willing to take a significant pay cut.
Martin Perez: Perez has a $6 million option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout. The Sox will buy him out and given the organization's improved pitching depth, it's highly unlikely they'll seek to bring him back at a reduced base.
PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION:
Rafael Devers: Devers is projected to get $11.1 million by MLBTradeRumors.com, though the Sox will attempt to get him signed to a long-term deal this winter.
Hunter Renfroe: Renfroe is projected to get $7.6 million, more than doubling his 2021 salary
Kevin Plawecki: Plawecki is projected to get $2 million, a relative bargain for a dependable backup catcher.
Ryan Brasier: Brasier is projected to get $1.4 million, a relative bargain for a high-leverage reliever.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo is projected to get $3.2 million. Could the Sox attempt to work out something longer term?
Nick Pivetta: Pivetta is projected to get $3.2 million.
Christian Arroyo: Arroyo is projected to get $1.1 million.
Josh Taylor: Taylor is projected to get $1.1 million.
PLAYERS UNDER CONTROL WITH 0-3 MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME:
Austin Davis, Darwinzon Hernandez, Phillips Valdez, Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock, Bobby Dalbec, Jonathan Arauz, Jarren Duran, Jack Lopez, Connor Wong, Jay Groome, Eduard Bazardo, Connor Seabold, Bryan Mata, Ronaldo Hernandez, Hudson Potts, Jeisson Rosario
