Some thoughts to consider while Sea Dogs fans wait until next year ...

• They say development is more important than winning in the minors. The Boston Red Sox farm system is often praised for its development, but its minor league teams are also winning. Four of the six Red Sox teams reached the postseason, and the other two (Greenville at 70-69, and the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Sox at 28-27) squeaked by with winning records.

• As far as development goes, five alumni of the Sea Dogs made their major league debut in 2008: Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, Chris Smith, Charlie Zink and Michael Bowden. And the number may grow to six if catcher Dusty Brown gets a call-up once Pawtucket's playoffs are over.

• When Pawtucket is done, look for Devern Hansack to finally move up. Hansack was the Sea Dogs' winning pitcher in the 2006 Eastern League title game and made it to the majors that year. He pitched briefly for Boston in 2007, but has yet to receive a call this season. Hansack showed his stuff still works with six no-hit innings for Pawtucket on Thursday. Hansack should move up soon, and could even make the Red Sox postseason roster, if he is replacing someone on the disabled list.

• Development means tough choices and the Red Sox needed to release productive third baseman Andrew Pinckney to move up Jorge Jimenez. Pinckney, 26, joined the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and hit .276 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. Jimenez, 23, rebounded from a slow start to hit .270 with three home runs and 22 RBIs for the Sea Dogs. He batted .308 in his last 30 games.

• Another slow starter after his promotion to Portland was shortstop Argenis Diaz (.189 through 11 games). He finished with a .288 average, with the promise of good things to come. He batted .281 earlier in Lancaster, and .358 in last year's Hawaiian Winter League. His defensive tools are major league level, though Red Sox officials caution that they 'still need polish.'

• Catcher Mark Wagner is headed for Hawaii this offseason. Wagner shared catching duties in Portland with John Otness in the first months of the season, but then took the majority of the load in the second half. He seemed to wear down. He batted .282 on May 28, .237 on June 29, and .219 at the end of the year. Look for better numbers in Portland next year.

• Boston hoped to see better numbers from Kyle Jackson (6.25 ERA in Portland), but the pitcher kept needing to re-group. He showed how quickly things could change, going from the 40-man roster in spring training to being released Aug. 12. He is now pitching for the Worcester Tornadoes in the independent leagues.

• Reliever Bryce Cox was once a prospect on the fast track. He began his first full season last year in Portland, but soon found himself back in Class A. Cox did not return to Portland until the playoffs. His outing Friday was a disaster (one single, one walk, two hit-batters and only two outs recorded). Still, his fastball and slider looked nasty. Just needs more command.

• While the Red Sox farm system has been held up as a model of excellence, the Orioles organization has not fared so well in recent years. The Bowie Baysox appearance in the postseason may be a sign of better things to come. Outfielder Lou Montanez, 26, won the first Eastern League Triple Crown (.335, 26 home runs, 97 RBIs). Usually a 26-year-old would be promoted with those kinds of numbers, but Baltimore kept much of its Bowie team together.

• Montanez was the MVP for both the league's and the Eastern League writers' all-star teams. Portland had no representation (outfielder Zach Daeges finished fifth in the voting on the writers' team).

• The Eastern League may see some changes. The Connecticut Defenders may get a new affiliate (the Giants reportedly like the league, but not Dodd Stadium) and maybe a new location. Richmond, Va., has lost its Triple-A team and is looking for a replacement.

• Connecticut did not finish last in attendance this year. The franchise still averages around 3,000 fans a game but Harrisburg experienced a huge drop (from a 3,527 average to 2,473). Under new ownership, Harrisburg cut back on freebies (both giveaways and free tickets).

• Reading again led the league with an average crowd of 6,434. Portland was second (6,234), followed by Trenton (5,762) and New Hampshire (5,331), which had its best year.