More significant, Epstein said Wakefield, who will be 44 next season, is expected to resume his role as fifth starter in 2010, health permitting.
"Wake is someone that is in our plans and we hope he makes starts for us next year as well and is a member of the rotation," Epstein said. "We haven’t sat down and finalized anything. Obviously, we want to see how the surgery goes and then both sides will sit down and talk."
Wakefield was an All-Star in 2009, going 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA in the season’s first half. But the knuckleballer injured his back after the All-Star break, causing him to limp through just four starts in August and September. In the final two months of the season, he went 0-2 with an ERA of 6.00.
Coaches In Demand
Epstein said the Houston Astros have asked to speak to bench coach Brad Mills and first base coach Tim Bogar about their managerial opening and have been given permission to do so. In somewhat of a surprise, pitching coach John Farrell has turned down a request by the Cleveland Indians to interview for that managerial opening, choosing instead to remain with the Red Sox.
