This week, Curt Schilling answered one of the many questions the Red Sox face heading into the 2007 season, but in so doing, he created another.

We now know that 2007 won't be Schilling's final major league season. We just don't know for whom he'll be toiling in 2008. He wants an extension to be in place by spring training, or else, says the six-time all-star, he'll become a free agent for the first time ever.

Ah yes, nothing like an offseason in Beantown to hatch a whole new batch of question marks.

Speaking of addressing Bosox-related questions, I was interviewed on a Red Sox podcast on the weekend for the show Without a Curse, and the topics covered included the now ill-fated Todd Helton trade rumors, Wily Mo Pena's role with the team, and what the Sox will do should Dustin Pedroia be unable to cut the mustard at second base.

But among the most fascinating issues we explored was the still burning question of who will be saving games in Boston this summer. It's a topic that bears closer scrutiny in this space.

Fans of the team will remember the ill-fated bullpen-by-committee approach the Bosox took in 2003. At varying times, Brandon Lyon, Chad Fox, Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield, Alan Embree, Robert Person, Bronson Arroyo, Casey Fossum and Jason Shiell all took stabs at the job before the Sox landed Byung-Hyun Kim to be their main man for the remainder of the season.

While I'm not sure the collection of arms Boston may employ to try to save games this season is quite as diverse as it was then, as near as I can figure, there are no less than seven candidates for the Red Sox closer job in 2007. Of course, perhaps I'm being too conservative. I haven't even considered newcomer Brendan Donnelly as a candidate, nor do I imagine that Manny Delcarmen, Kason Gabbard, J.C. Romero, Kyle Snyder, Lenny DiNardo or Craig Breslow will enter into the picture. And no, I refuse to mention Runelvys Hernandez's name.

I've listed them below in order of how likely they are to get the job.

• Joel Pineiro: The early odds-on favorite was far less hittable after switching from the rotation to the pen with the Mariners last season. He has good stuff and is aggressive, two qualities a successful closer needs. The odds are probably similar that Pineiro takes to the role and succeeds as they are that he crashes and burns.



• Mike Timlin: Timlin's greatest attribute in this race is his vast closing experience – 139 saves in his career. When Jonathan Papelbon had to shut it down for the season last year, the Sox handed the gig back to Timlin. However, it's a scary proposition considering Timlin will be 41 in March and the cracks in his foundation are definitely showing after a 6.06 second half ERA.



• Craig Hansen: I've been a big fan of Hansen and his heavy heater since the Bosox drafted him out of St. John's in 2005 with their first pick. No, he hasn't enjoyed the immediate success other college closers such as Huston Street and Chad Cordero have, but I still see Hansen as the long-term answer. Thanks to injuries last year, Hansen and Delcarmen alike were thrust into bigger roles than the Sox probably would have liked, and each had their issues as a result. If Hansen is brought along slowly, he will justify the first round selection in time.



• Julian Tavarez: Journeyman sinkerball Tavarez had command issues and was more susceptible to the long ball in 2006 than usual, which helps explain his lackluster ERA of almost four and a half. But considering his GB rates were at his career norms, I expect him to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park this year. Tavarez has done some closing in the past (11 saves for the Pirates in 2003) and was actually quite impressive when moved into the starting rotation with the Sox late last year.



• Jonathan Papelbon: Papelbon proved without a doubt that he was a stud closer last season, but I always believed Boston would be better served with him in the rotation, giving the team 200 innings instead of 60 to 75. The Sox are committed to turning him back into a starter this year, but he's already said he'd be willing to close again if it came to that. Fantasy value notwithstanding, I really hope for the sake of this kid's long-term health that he remains a starter going forward. If the team is forced to jerk him around and flip-flop on this decision, there could be disastrous results.



• Devern Hansack: After being out of pro ball for two seasons, Hansack came out of nowhere last season and was very impressive in his two starts. I attended his debut and when we heard who was pitching, we were left scrambling for our prospect books to find out who this guy was. Still, he made a fan of me with his ability to go right after hitters and throws strikes, a quality every successful reliever must have. He's been mentioned as a darkhorse candidate for saves, so if you're seeking a deep fantasy sleeper, here's your man.



• Matt Clement: After surgery on his labrum and rotator cuff, he's likely out until mid-season and his career is possibly over altogether. But because of his one dominant pitch (power slider), if he makes it back, Clement could conceivably have more success as a reliever than he did as a starter. At any rate, stranger things have happened.

Bear in mind that the likelihood of the Bosox working their way down this entire list is about as high as my chances of major league stardom. You'd have to assume that if more than one of these options failed, Boston would seek an experienced closer on the trade market.

Rob Blackstien runs www.RotoRob.com, a site featuring daily fantasy sports analysis. In addition to his baseball work on the site, he contributes to Rotoworld’s basketball coverage. Rob also writes for CREATiVESPORTS.com, BaseballNotebook.com and has contributed to Rotoman’s Fantasy Baseball Guide and Fantasy Football Guide.

Contact Rob Blackstien