Payton can't see watching

Jay Payton knew he would play last night.

When the Red Sox face a lefthanded starter, Payton often steps in for Trot Nixon in right field. It's been his role this season.

But recently, Payton has said that's not enough. At 32, he isn't ready to be a part-time outfielder.

''I like playing baseball," he said. ''I don't like watching baseball."

He isn't surprised with the amount of playing time he's had. He knew when he was traded to the Sox from San Diego in December that he wouldn't be a starter. Before the trade, Payton said he and his agent told the Sox he wouldn't be happy being a backup.

In last night's 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Payton was 2 for 4 with leadoff doubles in the second and fourth innings. He struck out looking in the sixth and lined out in the eighth. He said he had a good batting practice before the game, which parlayed itself into a decent night offensively. Getting in a hitting groove can be difficult, he said, because of his sporadic playing time.

''I'm not going to make excuses, but anybody will tell you it's better when you're playing every day than when you're not," he said. ''It is what it is. I go out and just try to have good at-bats."

He has 108 at-bats in 47 games, putting him well below the pace he would need to match his 458 trips to the plate with the Padres in 2004, not to mention his 600 with Colorado the year before.

''Obviously, I was used to playing every day, but I think I've adjusted pretty well to the role that I've been in. It's not the role I want, but it's the role I'm in," he said. ''Right now, I'm here, and I'm preparing myself to help this team win ballgames, and I'll continue to do that."

Without saying he wants to be traded, Payton made it clear that next season he wants to be with a team for which he will be a starter.

Manager Terry Francona said Payton's statements don't come as a surprise.

''I've talked to Jay a couple times about his situation here," Francona said. ''I think he stated how he feels, and I've known how he feels for a long time. He's talked to [general manager Theo Epstein]. They've talked to his agent. Everything's been out on the table. It's not like he went behind my back or their back.

''He's very upfront, very honest with me. At the same time, he's been really respectful about it. He'd just like to play more. I understand that."

Payton is batting .259 with 28 hits, including six doubles and four home runs.

Payton said he gets along well with his teammates and coaches. His future and his career, he said, won't get in the way of his season.

''It's just frustrating, but I'm a grown man. I know how to handle the situation. I'm not a whiner or a crybaby," he said. ''We've all handled the situation very maturely. I've expressed myself and they've expressed themselves. So, basically, we'll just kind of play it out and see what happens. It's not a situation where it's a distraction or anything like that, which is the main thing."