In just more than five weeks, Red Sox pitchers and catchers will begin reporting to spring training in Fort Myers, but a number of holes remain to be filled before the roster is complete.

A position-by-position look at what the Sox must still do in the next month.

Catcher of the day

The free agent pickings are slim – Gregg Zaun is probably the most intriguing name, but he’s viewed as a remote possibility – so it’s more likely that the club will deal for additional help behind the plate to team with the prodigal Josh Bard.

For now, the asking price on the trade front (read: Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden) remains too high for the Red Sox’s liking.

This now becomes a stare-down with the Arizona Diamondbacks (Miguel Montero) and Texas Rangers (Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia).

With each passing day, it seems more and more likely that Jason Varitek has played his last game in a Red Sox uniform.

Don’t be surprised if the Sox go to Fort Myers with Bard and George Kottaras as the projected duo, especially with Kottaras out of options, while waiting for the Diamondbacks or Rangers to lower their demands.

Pitching in

John Smoltz remains the top target, essentially filling the role of Bartolo Colon last season as a veteran coming off an arm injury who could provide quality innings by May or June. Smoltz has been on vacation, but the 1996 NL Cy Young Award winner is expected to narrow his choices in the next week to 10 days. The Sox have been told they are still among the contenders, but many in the game question whether Smoltz will end a 21-year association with the Atlanta Braves.

Warming up in the bullpen

As currently constituted, the Sox are pretty content with a relief crew that includes Jonathan Papelbon, left-hander Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, lefty Javier Lopez, Justin Masterson and newcomer Ramon Ramirez. Still, talented arms are always welcome, which is why the Sox are monitoring reports on former Los Angeles Dodgers closer Takashi Saito.

Saito’s numbers with the Dodgers during the past three seasons are otherworldly – 245 strikeouts in 189 innings, with just 121 hits allowed – but he has battled elbow issues and chose to rehab rather than undergo surgery. He’d like to close somewhere, but if no one can give him that chance, the Sox would welcome him in a set-up capacity.

Warming up on the bench

For now, the Sox don’t intend to find a replacement for the Alex Cora role, figuring that whoever loses the shortstop battle – Julio Lugo or Jed Lowrie – can serve as the utility infielder.

The Sox still have a need for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, however. Gabe Kapler, Act 3, remains an option, and the club hasn’t ruled out Rocco Baldelli, who continues to get more information about his medical condition and limitations. Beyond Kapler and Baldelli, the free agents and non-tender options are decidedly unimpressive.

It’s more likely that the team finds a fourth outfielder through trade. Texas’ Marlon Byrd remains one possibility.

Around the horn

The organization announced the passing of longtime scout Matt Sczesny, who died Sunday in Long Island, N.Y., following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 76.

Sczesny had an association as a minor league player and manager, and scout, with the Red Sox that dated back more than 50 years. Mo Vaughn, John Valentin and Bob Stanley were among the players Sczesny signed. . . .

The 70th annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner will be held Thursday (7 p.m.) at the Westin Waterfront Hotel. Second baseman and 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, general manager Theo Epstein, manager Terry Francona and Baldelli are among those expected to attend.

A limited number of tickets ($150 each) will be available at the door.