Francona will get the call -- sometime soon

The Sox, who initially indicated they would name a new manager yesterday, are in no particular hurry since their goal was to fill the job before the annual winter meetings begin in New Orleans Dec. 12. Meeting the deadline has posed little problem since Francona wowed them in his initial interview Nov. 5. The Sox have interviewed only two candidates since then -- Anaheim bench coach Joe Maddon and Texas first base coach DeMarlo Hale -- and neither has dislodged Francona as the heavy favorite to succeed Grady Little. Los Angeles third base coach Glenn Hoffman, the only other person to interview for the vacancy, also failed to make the cut.

While the possibility remains that Francona, who managed the Phillies from 1997-2000, could be introduced today, a source familiar with the process described that scenario as "highly unlikely."

Sox president Larry Lucchino returned to Boston last night from California and the team was expected to spend part of today completing the search process and planning Francona's news conference.

Francona, 44, who played 10 years in the majors, is expected to be warmly welcomed by his new players.

"Everything I've heard about him is great," Kevin Millar said. "It sounds like he's the right man for the job."

He's no money-saver

The Sox may know by next week whether Oakland's All-Star closer, Keith Foulke, will join Curt Schilling in signing on for the next three years or more. The Sox appear to be the front-runners in a group of contenders that includes the A's, Cubs, and Mets. While Foulke's agent, Dan Horwits, declined to discuss specifics of the competition for the righthander, who led the American League last season with 43 saves, he indicated the process could end relatively quickly.

"It could be the end of the week," Horwits said, "but it might take a team a while longer to put together a package and it might take a while longer for Keith and his family to make a decision."

Signing Foulke (who is expected to command $6 million-$8 million annually over three or four years) ultimately could push Boston's payroll over the $120.5 million luxury tax threshold. Teams exceeding the limit for the first time next season will be subject to a 22.5 percent tax on the amount above $120.5 million.

The situation remains largely in flux for the Sox, who appear to have a number of moves pending.

Principal owner John W. Henry has been particularly concerned about remaining financially competitive since the team's revenue-sharing burden increased dramatically under last year's collective bargaining agreement. "With revenue-sharing so high, I doubted we would ever approach it," Henry said of the luxury tax threshold.

Aurilia a possibility

As they reshape the team for next season, the Sox have given some thought to moving AL batting champion Bill Mueller from third base to second base. They have considered acquiring San Francisco's free agent shortstop Rich Aurilia, for instance, and moving him to third base. Aurilia, 32, is a career .278 hitter with a .331 on-base percentage over nine seasons with the Giants. He hit .277 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs last season, playing half his games in pitcher-friendly Pac Bell Park. Aurilia's best season was 2001, when he hit .324 with 37 homers and 97 RBIs. His agent, Barry Axelrod, spoke early in the offseason to Sox general manager Theo Epstein and described Boston's interest as "very exploratory." Aurilia earned $5.25 million last season in completing a three-year, $14.75 million contract. The Sox and other teams are waiting to see whether the Giants offer him salary arbitration by Sunday's deadline. "I wouldn't say there is anything hard and fast going on in any way [with the Sox]," Axelrod said . . . The Sox ranked among the most generous teams in dividing playoff shares. No other team awarded more full shares than the Sox (51), with each full share worth $89,135.88 to Boston's recipients. The Sox also gave out 21 partial shares and 10 cash awards. Players on Boston's roster all season received a full share, even if they did not make the postseason roster, Casey Fossum and Ramiro Mendoza among them. Players such as Lou Merloni and Gabe Kapler, who joined the team during the season and made the playoff roster, also received full shares. The players also took care of the traveling secretary, clubhouse workers, and others who helped them daily. Under Tim Wakefield's leadership, they also gave to charities such as the Jimmy Fund . . . Former Sox manager Joe Morgan and infielder John Kennedy are scheduled to join radio voices Joe Castiglione and Uri Berenguer and a number of celebrities at the Hampshire House tonight for the 24th annual "Cheers for Children" party and auction. Proceeds benefit Globe Santa, the Cam Neely Foundation, the Jimmy Fund, and Friends of Floating Hospital for Children. Tickets are $20 at the door. For more information, call (617) 854-7643.