FORT MYERS Ryan Dempsters surprising announcement that hell walk away from $13.25 million and sit out the 2014 season robs the Red Sox of starting pitching depth, but in truth, opens more avenues for improvement.

Dempster decided not to pitch this season because he believed injuries to his neck and groin would keep him from meeting the standards of his 16-year career. He faced an uphill roster climb as it was, with a young Felix Doubront and veteran Jake Peavy the favorites to land the last two spots in the rotation.

Dempster represented a long reliever and spot starter, and there are better ways to spend $13 million, particularly if he ended up pitching as ineffectively as he feared.

And so begins the trickle-down effect of his decision. Here are three areas his absence will impact.

1. The future is now

If the Red Sox suffer an injury in the starting rotation and of the five starters, only ace Jon Lester has exhibited a track record of durability theyll likely turn to youngster Brandon Workman, who opened eyes with his attacking approach in relief last season.

Workman has spent the winter preparing to start, and yesterday said he views himself as a starter long-term, though hell obviously pitch wherever the team wants.

Starting is what Ive done for all except half of last season, Workman said. Its definitely a comfort zone for me, its what I grew up doing, what Ive done on my way through the minor leagues. Id say that is what I see myself as because of the amount Ive done it through my career and my life, but I got comfortable in the bullpen as well. Whatever they decide my role ends up being, I feel comfortable I can get it done.

What becomes interesting is the group behind Workman. Even with the rotation remaining relatively healthy outside of Clay Buchholz last year, the Sox still used 11 starters. Included on that list were Alfredo Aceves, Franklin Morales, and Stephen Wright.

Now imagine those starts being made by some combination of prospects Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and Drake Britton. Or maybe even Matt Barnes, Anthony Ranaudo and Henry Owens, the best of the next generation.

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Ryan Dempsters exit adds flexibility