Young core keeps window open in Boston

BOSTON — What does the immediate future look like for the Red Sox minus their Big Papi? In truth, pretty good.

While replacing David Ortiz’s production in the middle of the batting order will be the most pressing task for president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski this offseason, Boston has a strong, young core returning for 2017.

Mookie Betts, who had a monster season that could land him the American League MVP Award, will again be a centerpiece. Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Craig Kimbrel and Steven Wright represent four other All-Stars who should be back. Dustin Pedroia now vaults into the role of the longest-tenured Red Sox player, and he’s signed through 2021.

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The starting rotation will have the front two back in Rick Porcello and David Price. Lefties Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz — who are entering the prime years of their careers — should also return.

In fact, Ortiz took time after the game to tell his teammates the future of the organization looks bright. He reiterated some of those thoughts in his …

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