Renteria has drawn interest
With the market for free agent shortstops shrinking after the recent signings of Omar Vizquel by the Giants and Cristian Guzman by the Expos, the Sox have continued to try to reach an agreement with Orlando Cabrera. But as a contingency, the Sox have expressed interest in Cabrera's Colombian countryman, Edgar Renteria, whose price tag might top Cabrera's but who is considered one of the best all-around shortstops in the game.
Renteria, who hit .287 with 10 homers and 72 RBIs last season for the Cardinals, also ranks high on the wish lists of the Cardinals, Cubs, and White Sox, among others, reducing the chances of the Red Sox landing him. Other than Renteria, the list of elite free agent shortstops is led by Nomar Garciaparra, whose days in Boston are over.
The Sox, who initially targeted Vizquel as one of their other fallback options, have yet to contact Barry Larkin, a four-time Gold Glover for the Reds who turns 41 in April. But they have not closed the door on Pokey Reese returning in some capacity, though it's unlikely he would be their full-time shortstop.
Reese played a crucial role for the Sox this past season at shortstop, batting .250 and smoothly fielding the position until Garciaparra returned from the disabled list June 9. The Sox have indicated that if Reese had not suffered two injuries -- a severely sprained thumb and a serious oblique strain -- they might have tapped him as their shortstop rather than acquire Cabrera when they moved Garciaparra at the trading deadline.
The Sox appreciated how gracefully Reese handled the situation after Cabrera supplanted him and Mark Bellhorn became the full-time second baseman. Reese never squawked, building a large reservoir of good will with the Sox brass.
In any case, Reese wants to play shortstop full time next season and may get his wish with a smaller-market team.
"There has been good, solid interest in Pokey as a shortstop," his agent, Mike Nicotera, said. "We feel like we're going to find a fit that's right for him."
If not, Reese has friends at Fenway.
Glaus on list
The Sox continue to have interest in Anaheim's free agent slugger, Troy Glaus, though the third baseman has a number of other suitors, including the Orioles, Brewers, and Dodgers (if they lose Adrian Beltre to free agency) . . . Trot Nixon and Mike Timlin will join Sox officials in taking the World Series trophy to Springfield and Worcester Monday. They will attend rallies at Springfield's City Hall at 11:30 a.m. and Worcester's City Hall at 2:30 p.m. . . . Major League Baseball will premiere "The Official 2004 World Series DVD" at the Wang Theatre Monday at 7:30 p.m. Manager Terry Francona is scheduled to join Nixon, Timlin, and Luis Tiant, among other players and special guests, at the showing. Tickets are $50 and $25 and go on sale today at 10 a.m. at the Wang Center box office. They also may be purchased by calling Telecharge (1-800-447-7400) or visiting www.wangcenter.org. The DVD will go on sale to the public Tuesday . . . Sox equipment manager Joe Cochran was named Major League Equipment Manager of the Year in a vote of the 30 equipment managers and visiting clubhouse managers at their annual meeting in San Diego . . . The Sox are scheduled to officially name Ron Johnson today as Triple A Pawtucket's manager. Johnson, who guided Double A Portland last season, will replace Buddy Bailey.
