Xander Bogaerts, left, Christian Vazquez, center, and J.D. Martinez helped lead Boston to a World Series title in 2018. All three are still on the roster and could be part of the core as the Red Sox try to build their next winner. John Bazemore/Associated Press

The Red Sox start playing spring training games Sunday. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom will be watching, with an eye on April, and July, and (hopefully) October. But Bloom’s vision extends to 2022, 2023 …

Bloom will not use words like “rebuilding.”

“If you’re not starting the year trying to win the World Series, you’re in the wrong business,” Bloom said on a Zoom call with the media last week.

“That is the goal.”

But not the only one.

“We obviously have long-term objectives as well. We want the organization positioned to do that (contend for the World Series) every year. And that takes planning and an eye on the future.”

To have a future, a roster of core players is required, and constantly replenished with additional help.

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom is eager to see what the next core of his team will be. Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

Bloom is eager to “see that next core – because you always have to have a next core – that is going to be the center of a sustainable championship contender.”

When you think of core groups, the venerable Yankees group of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams comes to mind (four World Series titles in five years).

Boston has had its mini cores. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield helped Boston to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 (with Kevin Youkilis also on both rosters, but more of a contributor in 2007).

Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester were also part of that 2007 title and joined Ortiz for the 2013 championship.

Xander Bogaerts, who turned 21 while contributing to the 2013 title, won a 2018 ring along with current teammates Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, J.D. Martinez, Christian Vazquez and Rafael Devers.

Underperformance, injuries and a lack of depth kept the 2019 team from the playoffs and sunk the 2020 team (24-36 in the pandemic-shorted season).

But Bloom’s vision has not changed.

“(We want) to see that core taking shape, both with the players who have been here that were part of the last championship – and will continue to be here – and the players who are going to join that group,” Bloom said, “whether from within our system, guys we acquire, or even guys who might not be here yet.”

While we cannot predict core members who are not in the Red Sox system – and don’t forget that Boston has the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft – we have a good idea of players who will be around for a while.

THE ANCHOR of the core group is Bogaerts, the 28-year-old shortstop, who is signed through 2025 (with a vesting option for 2026). He does have an opt-out clause after the 2022 season, so there may be some renegotiating.

Eduardo Rodriguez can become a free agent after this season, but the Red Sox would be wise to keep him as part of their core. Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

THE PITCHING core will depend on if/when Boston extends Rodriguez, who can become a free agent after the season. Securing Rodriguez, who turns 28 in April, should be a Red Sox priority.

“We know how talented he is,” Bloom said, adding that he “expects conversation will pick up” with players they want to extend.

IF RODRIGUEZ is extended, he will lead a starting pitching core that will also have Sale, signed through 2024 (club option in 2025). Sale, who turns 31 in March, is coming back from Tommy John surgery.

Eovaldi, 31, is signed through 2022.

DEVERS IS another player the Red Sox should be negotiating with. Devers is only 24 and still under Red Sox control for three years. Boston could save money long-term and secure a young talent for several seasons.

TWO OTHER members of the 2018 World Series team, Martinez, 33, and Vazquez, 30, are signed through 2022. Vazquez is coming off two solid seasons (combined .798 OPS) and could be a long-term core member.

THE OUTFIELD CORE once seemed set with Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. But Betts and Benintendi were traded, while Bradley is an unsigned free agent. In the two trades, Bloom got two outfielders who can play now, along with prospects.

Alex Verdugo, 24, obtained in the Betts deal, had a fine 2020 season (.308 average, .844 OPS). He is under Boston control through 2024. Franchy Cordero, 26, was one of five players obtained for Benintendi. He has only 95 games of major league experience and is a free agent after the 2023 season.

If prospect Jarren Duran, 24, continues his upward development, he could become a regular in the outfield. Duran shined at the alternative training site in 2020 and in winter ball. He is expected to begin 2021 in Triple-A and is on course for a call-up this season.

THE INFIELD, in addition to Bogaerts and Devers, has first baseman Bobby Dalbec, 25, who hit eight home runs in 23 games after his call-up. He won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 season.

Michael Chavis is trending down, but it is too soon to give up on a 25-year-old player who hit 18 home runs in 2019. He also could be traded if the return is sufficient.

Second baseman Jeter Downs, 22, obtained in the Betts deal, is another player who drew praise from the alternative training site last year. He has only 12 games of Double-A experience, but he could be fast-tracked, with Bloom eyeing him for a starting spot by 2022.

THE PITCHING has depth that was missing in recent years, including some homegrown talent. Tanner Houck, 24, made his debut last September with three starts (0.53 ERA). Bryan Mata, 21, and Jay Groome, 22, both pitched at the alternative training site. Mata could be in the majors sometime this year, Groome as early as 2022.

Darwinzon Hernandez, 24, was once a starter but could be a bullpen staple for years. Under Boston control through 2025, Hernandez has 70 strikeouts in 38 2/3 major league innings.

Bloom has a lot of players to keep an eye on as he determines who can help this year and in years beyond.

“I do think we’re in a better place (than 2020),” Bloom said. “In our farm system, we’re definitely doing a lot to shore up our depth … We place such an emphasis on the pipeline.”