Talented trio on center stage

If this was the year teams were awaiting to replenish the cupboard with an elite center fielder, they're about to hit the jackpot. Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter, and Ichiro Suzuki could be available, as they stand to become free agents after the season. Expensive, yes. Worth it? Probably.

Jones and Hunter wish they could spend their entire careers in one uniform, while Ichiro merely wants a chance to win after three straight years of last-place finishes in Seattle.

"I'm human, I think about everything," said Hunter at the Twins' facility in Fort Myers, Fla. "I think about moving on and I think about staying. Last year was pretty rough, but this year I'm just going to play and not put the pressure or stress on myself. I'm not going to worry about the trade at [midseason] or worry about leaving next year. I'm just going to go out and help our team win a World Series. This could be my last year with the Twins."

Jones, who will turn 30 April 23, has been a Brave for 11 seasons. He's won nine consecutive Gold Gloves and has hit 342 homers, including seasons of 51 and 41 the last two years.

While Hunter lists Boston as his No. 1 preference if he had to move, Jones's reaction to Boston was, "No, I don't want to play there." Asked to elaborate, he later said, "I was only kidding. You never know."

Suzuki would not comment on his future through his interpreter, Ken Barron, as he had addressed the topic upon his arrival to Peoria, Ariz., where the Mariners train. He wants a commitment to winning by the Mariners organization.

Jones (who will earn $13.5 million this season) and Hunter have been a part of winning teams, but the Braves missed the playoffs last season for the first time in Jones's career.

"It was frustrating last year," said Jones. "We had a lot of injuries. Things weren't going our way. Other teams were playing good baseball, too. The Mets kept going even though they had injuries. A lot of props to them and their organization.

"I'm excited about our team and us bouncing back."

Hunter, 31, who has won six straight Gold Gloves, and had 31 homers and 98 RBIs last season, is due $12 million this season. If the Twins let him walk, he would love to reunite with former teammate David Ortiz. But he said he'd be OK with any Series contender. He even mentioned Texas, his home.

Regarding the lack of activity on a new deal with Minnesota, Hunter said he is "very disappointed. This is the team I grew up with. Whenever you get kicked out of the house, you feel upset."

Hunter doesn't buy the theory that the "small-market" Twins can't afford him.

"I think they can," he said. "A lot of people think they can't, but I think they can give it out. [General manager] Terry [Ryan] can't do anything about it. His hands are tied. He's not the one issuing the money. He's trying to make it right."

Hunter enjoys Minnesota and his talented teammates.

"It's a humble group," he said. "A relaxed group. They're a lot of fun. Nobody's bigger than the other. Everybody's the same. Even though we have the batting champion [Joe Mauer] and the MVP [Justin Morneau] and the Cy Young [Johan Santana], these guys are still the same. We crack jokes on everybody. I love it here."

But is he ready for more stress?

"I put that into consideration, but at the same time, I'm old enough and mature enough to move on," Hunter said.

He touts himself as "a player that goes out there and makes it happen. I'm going to make a difference on defense. I'm going to make a difference on the bases. And every once in a while, you'd better not make a mistake at the plate."

Jones, who is not as brash as Hunter, might be the best defensive center fielder of his era, but, he said, "There are so many good center fielders and so many young ones coming up. I think I just play smart and know my pitching and know who's hitting. I'm not saying I'm the best. There are guys who have better speed than me and probably might be better. I try to be smart and be in the right spot."

Jones insists he hasn't thought about impending free agency.

"For me, it's not time to think about it," said Jones, who is a 10-5 player and can veto any trade. "I'm still here and I want to go out and help my teammates win. Thinking about other places would just be frustrating. It's certainly in the back of my mind on how many teams will come after you. The main thing I'm looking for is to get to a World Series. I just want to be in this uniform the rest of my career, but I know it's a business."

He has some better ideas

Josh Beckett needs to become a No. 1 pitcher for the Red Sox to justify the deal for National League Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez, who has become a physical specimen.

"I want to be the best shortstop in the game," said the Marlins shortstop, who was part of the package the Red Sox sent to Florida in the Beckett deal in November 2005. "I know I have to improve on everything. I have a lot of confidence. People always ask me if I'm surprised I did so good last season and I say no, because I know what I can do.

"I love playing the game and I love to keep going further and further to see what more I can do."

His idol is Miguel Tejada because "he's an all-around player. He can do everything. I've had a chance to talk to him quite a bit about playing shortstop and being ready to play every day. He's someone I really admire."

Ramirez stole 51 bases, and said the wear and tear of running so much hasn't caught up with him -- and he doesn't anticipate it will. He hit 17 home runs from the leadoff spot, and given his build (6 feet 3 inches, 195 pounds), he is capable of hitting twice that many.

"I just want to get on base and be a good leadoff hitter," Ramirez said. "I have power and I hope I hit more home runs. But I'm trying to be a better hitter. A leadoff hitter needs to get on base and make the pitcher work, and that's what I have to do a better job with."

He acknowledged that being traded surprised him at first, but he added, "It's the best thing that ever happened to me. I got my chance. I wouldn't have had that chance in Boston."

Clemens's son says it's still a no-decision at this point

A few questions for Astros minor league third baseman Koby Clemens.

Has the family taken the annual poll on where your dad should pitch?

KC: "We haven't had one yet, but I'm sure we'll have one soon. I'm sure I'll be on a conference call from somewhere trying to figure it out."

You're probably rooting for the Astros.

KC: "Oh yeah. I'd love for him to stay in this organization. But he's going to decide what he wants to do. It's his decision."

Does he get a lot of e-mails, letters, correspondence from Boston, from people who want him to finish his career there?

KC: "He gets a lot. I get a lot. It's all good. We really enjoyed Boston. Just one guy [Dan Duquette] didn't enjoy us, I guess. That would be a Cinderella story if he ended it there."

So he really is "iffy" about returning?

KC: "He really is, and that's no lie. I have no inside information whatsoever. He keeps it very close to the vest, even with the family. He's been coming over here [Kissimmee, Fla.] and working out with us every so often. He throws his BP and he does some coaching of the pitchers. He's staying in great shape. He's never going to be out of shape."

It almost sounds as if he has gone through spring training, to some degree.

KC: "A little bit, sure. He's been out here doing some stuff that you might normally do in spring training. But, like I said, he's never far from being in playing shape. If he decides to come back, it's not going to be a huge process for him to get back."

Notice you're wearing No. 22 (Roger's number) this year. What's the story?

KC: "Really, it was just assigned to me. I wore it in rookie ball in Greenville my first year. Last year I wore No. 8, which was my high school number. I had planned on wearing 22 wherever I go. I wore 22 a lot when I was younger. Those are really my two favorite numbers."

Is it getting easier for you?

KC: "I'm a lot more relaxed. I got my feet wet last year. What went on last year . . . I was kind of anxious. Now I kind of know what's going on, so it's been good. Dad certainly talks to me and tried to prepare me, but he wasn't in the minor leagues that long, so it's fairly new to him."

Etc.

Touching the bases
Apropos of nothing: 1. First thing Braves general manager John Schuerholz said to me last week: "Lou Gorman is responsible for any success I've had. He gave me an opportunity." 2. Asked former Twins manager Tom Kelly, a spring training instructor for the team, why he never managed again. "Other pursuits," he said. "Wanted to be well-rounded." 3. We know Kevin Towers and Theo Epstein like to deal. We know Red Sox scouts are keeping a close watch on Padres reliever Scott Linebrink. 4. Loved the name on the back of the jersey of an Astros minor leaguer I saw last week: "Self." 5. Braves shortstop Edgar Renteria quipped, "Another shortstop in Boston?"

Monster at Fenway
Former Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew, who roomed with Johnny Pesky in 1954 with the Washington Senators, said he came very close to playing in Boston. "I was considering a football/baseball scholarship at the University of Oregon, and the Washington Senators were pursuing me," said Killebrew, a spring training instructor for the Twins. "Earl Johnson was a Red Sox scout who was very interested, and he said to me he knew how much the Senators wanted me, but to see him before I made a decision. The [Senators] offered me a three-year deal at $6,000 per year and they added a bonus of $4,000 per season. I went back to Earl and told him, and he said, 'I don't think we can match that.' Well, if I had ever seen Fenway before I signed, I might have made a different decision. I loved hitting there. It was made for me."

Here's the deal
You want to rile up Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi? Ask him whether he's going to trade outfielder Alex Rios. "What, did we get stupid overnight? I'm not trading Alex Rios," Ricciardi insisted. "I can't believe stuff like that gets out there and takes on a life of its own. We love Alex Rios. We're watching this kid mature physically and in a baseball sense before our eyes. This kid has 30-home run power, hits for average, plays defense, runs."

In Astros camp late last week, the non-Clemens buzz was whether closer Brad Lidge (1-5, 5.28 ERA and 32 saves) can find his location again. That question could make the Astros hesitant to deal one of the setup men -- Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler -- in whom the Red Sox have interest. Astros pitching coach Dave Wallace is trying to straighten Lidge out, but if he's not successful, Wallace believes both Qualls and Wheeler (of Warwick, R.I.) have the closer stuff and mentality. "Wheeler's a tough New Englander," Wallace said. Wheeler converted 9 of 12 opportunities last season in 75 appearances and had a 2.52 ERA. Qualls appeared in 81 games. The Astros need an outfielder who can play defense, but while Sox prospect David Murphy's name has been mentioned by Astros officials, it might not be enough to get either Qualls or Wheeler.

Mark Loretta remains disappointed about not returning to Boston. But the classy infielder likes his new surroundings in Houston. "I get the feeling I'll get my share of playing time," Loretta said. "I know that Cincinnati also wanted me in this super-sub role, but I've played in Houston before, enjoyed it, and I think there are going to be opportunities to see some time at second and first base here. It worked out fine given the fact that I enjoyed it here." Loretta was traded to Houston from Milwaukee on Aug. 31, 2002, and hit .424 for the Astros with 2 homers and 8 RBIs in 21 games in September/October.

If you're looking for a rebound team, consider the Braves. Missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1990 (in a non-strike year) didn't sit well. "I think we've made the adjustments we needed to make," said Schuerholz. "We revamped the bullpen. I think we got better everywhere. It remains to be seen. But I'm proud of the attitude I see here and that Bobby [ Cox] really has them focused on getting back to where they feel they belong."

Joe Nathan, who has 123 saves in his first three seasons as the Twins closer, raves about Jonathan Papelbon's season a year ago. "It always helps the transition being a setup guy or a middle reliever," said Nathan. "But to do what Jon did and go basically from starter to closer, that's pretty tough to do. I know because I was a starter in the Giants system. To not have that many starts in the big leagues and then just jump into the closer role, that's really impressive. It's very important to get off to a quick start, and that's what Papelbon did last year. He built up some confidence early, just like I did in my first year. It definitely helps. If you start out badly, then you're digging yourself a big hole in a role that's pretty crazy and a role where if you start pressing, it's going to be difficult for you to get better. It's interesting that he's starting again, because he was just outstanding finishing games."

Carl Pavano says new agent Gregg Clifton has been a life-saver for him. "They're doing so much stuff for me," he said, "between grievances and lawsuits and accident reports and all the stuff that I've gone through. I feel I'm finally back on the right track and with the right people who have my best interests in mind. I'm just simplifying my life and just getting back to things that have to do with baseball. I don't do a whole lot off the field. I'm just trying to get my career going again in the right and positive direction."

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com