Kids hope they'll get to play in pen

Soon, Craig Hansen will join Manny Delcarmen at Fenway Park for workouts before they head to Fort Myers in early February to begin their quest to stick in the Red Sox bullpen in 2006.

These guys are serious.

They understand the situation. They realize they have a chance to make regular contributions if they show enough in spring training. With the uncertainty surrounding Keith Foulke's rehabilitation from knee surgery and a 40-year-old Mike Timlin in short relief, the youngsters' time could be sooner rather than later.

Delcarmen, who had a 3.00 ERA in nine innings last season (182 pitches thrown), began throwing again last week, trying to find his curveball.

''That was the one disappointment I had," Delcarmen said. ''I lost the curveball a little bit and I can't figure out why. I know the grip on the major league ball didn't feel the same to me as I had in Pawtucket. I'm not saying it's the ball, but it just didn't feel right. I wound up using my changeup a lot more, but my curve is my out pitch so I need to have that working again for me."

Delcarmen said he'll go to Fort Myers a couple of weeks ahead of the pitchers and catchers, hoping to solve the problem.

Hansen has been working out at his home on Long Island, but he will make Fenway his training spot very soon and said he'll begin throwing again next month.

''I know what's ahead and what I could accomplish if I show the coaches and Terry Francona that I belong in the big leagues," Hansen said. ''My goal is to get to spring training and shoot to stick.

''I think one thing I learned from my brief time up there is just do the things I've been successful with in the past. I've got to throw my fastball and trust it. I think my time up there helped me get over the awe of being up there facing some of the greatest hitters in the world. I think I'll be much more relaxed in that part of it when I pitch again."

Hansen, who threw only three innings for Boston this year (64 pitches), may have appeared tired at times, but he said his right shoulder had responded and was on the upswing from the ''dead arm" stage when he was shut down for about two weeks before coming up in September.

While many think Jonathan Papelbon will get his chance to be a starter, pitching coach Dave Wallace said in this space last month that part of him still sees the value of using Papelbon out of the bullpen at first and gradually moving him into the rotation. Much of that will depend on the Red Sox' offseason moves.

The Sox have told David Wells and his agent, Greg Clifton, that they intend to move the lefthander, likely to the San Diego Padres in a deal that could bring center fielder Dave Roberts and a pitcher back to Boston. But the Padres have been waiting for the Red Sox to get their management team together. The Sox also might be contemplating a last-ditch effort to keep Wells. One way to do it might be to guarantee Wells's contract, which maxes out at $9 million, or to rework the deal and extend it.

Clifton said Wells was still adamant about wanting to play near his home in San Diego, as of Friday. The Sox might also be waiting to see what else is out there for starters; they might be interested in A.J. Burnett (along with eight other teams) or Kevin Millwood.

Whatever happens, Hansen seems to be the closer of the future; he signed a four-year, $4 million deal after falling to the Sox in the amateur draft. While the Sox would love to get in on lefty B.J. Ryan, they are already committing $7.25 million to Foulke next season and have three 95 m.p.h.-plus arms in Delcarmen, Hansen, and Papelbon as potential bullpen aces. The Sox would love to mimic the Angels, who have a bunch of solid young relievers, which in the long run beats older, broken-down ones.

''It's exciting to me that I could be in a situation to pitch out of the bullpen," Hansen said. ''Coming up last September and getting to pitch in key situations in a ballgame gave me a lot of experience and a lot of confidence that if I can straighten out some of the little mechanical things that I studied on video, I can do well."

Delcarmen, who grew up in Hyde Park and now lives in Brockton, said he was disappointed to see Theo Epstein leave the organization.

''Once the dust clears, I hope to call him just to say thanks for making my dream come true and giving me a chance to pitch in the big leagues," said Delcarmen. ''He really believed in the young guys and I just wanted to tell him that."

Garciaparra's options

One major league general manager thinks Nomar Garciaparra could be the bargain of the offseason.

''I think he proved at the end of the year he can play third base," said the GM. ''I think he's more open to switching positions now than he's ever been, feeling it would add longevity to his career. Robin Yount made the move to center field. There's no reason why Nomar can't be a very good outfielder, considering his arm strength."

Garciaparra is training in California, where he also attended the wedding of a good friend this weekend, but word is he's just trying to build his body back up after a couple of trying seasons with very tough injuries to his Achilles' tendon and groin.

Garciaparra was told last week he won't be a Cub next season, and there is already interest in him from four or five teams. One is thought to be the Los Angeles Dodgers, who could use him at shortstop, third, or both. The Orioles are also looking at him, but it would have to be as a first baseman or an outfielder.

''If he can stay healthy, he'd be the bargain of free agency," said the GM. ''But that's the big if. None of us have a crystal ball.

''Sometimes players break down and their careers spiral downhill. Other have a period of injuries, then get over the hump and are healthy for the second half of their careers. Paul Molitor is a great example of that.

''Garciaparra could be one of those guys who reinvents himself at another position. He's a good enough athlete where you could think about playing him anywhere but catcher. And, if healthy, he'd still be a very good major league shortstop.

''Nobody has ever questioned this guy's desire and the fact he's a winner."

Garciaparra was dealt at the trading deadline in 2004, the year after he rejected a four-year, $60 million offer from the Sox in spring training. While it was Epstein who traded Garciaparra, the shortstop's biggest complaint was with Sox president Larry Lucchino. But time heals all wounds, and it wouldn't be outrageous to suggest that Garciaparra could return to Boston as a left fielder, center fielder, third baseman, or first baseman should the Sox deal Manny Ramírez and lose Johnny Damon.

Doctor's warning

The stricter testing and penalties for amphetamines in baseball are being applauded by Dr. P.S. Kishore of Brookline, an addiction specialist and founder of the National Library of Addictions. But testing may not be easy. According to Kishore, amphetamines can be flushed out of the body within three days or even sooner. Random testing may not detect them, he said, because they are water-soluble. In his practice, Kishore sees amphetamine use by college students who want to optimize their alertness for a big exam. He sees a lot of it among medical students and law school students. But there can be bad consequences. Kishore said psychotic behavior can manifest itself after extended use to the point you ''don't see reality from unreality." Kishore said abusers often become disheveled in appearance, have trouble thinking straight, and eventually their performance declines. Kishore is in complete agreement with the penalties for positive tests: additional mandatory testing after one failed test, 25 games for a second positive, and 80 games for a third positive . . . Jack McKeon, who resigned from the Marlins after the season, said he still wants to manage. ''Oh yeah, I'm just sitting here at home waiting for another opportunity," said McKeon, who turns 75 next week. ''If there's someone out there who still needs a manager for the short term, I'd be interested. You never get it out of your system." McKeon is currently consulting for the Marlins.

Verge of greatness?

If you're looking for a reason why Burnett is the most sought-after pitcher in the free agent market, a great comparison is National League Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. After 135 starts in the big leagues with Toronto, Carpenter was 49-50. After 131 starts, Burnett is 49-50. Burnett has struck out 753 and walked 377, while Carpenter had 612 strikeouts and 331 walks at that point. Carpenter has blossomed in St. Louis, where he's 36-10 the past two seasons. Coincidentally, the Blue Jays are considered the front-runners for Burnett, reportedly having made a five-year, $50 million offer. The Cardinals wined and dined Burnett Thursday. McKeon said he's received calls from a couple of teams asking for his input on Burnett. ''He's the best guy out there," said McKeon. ''It's just a matter of coming into his own, reducing his mistakes. It happens all the time. A guy with his stuff eventually puts it all together. A lot of it has been the injuries he's had and sometimes he just tries to do too much. I've seen it a lot. A guy gets to be 28, 29, 30 and it all comes together." . . . Arizona GM Josh Byrnes tried to hire Sox administrator Peter Woodfork as his assistant GM, but the Sox blocked it. Woodfork has been pretty valuable to the Sox, but with Epstein gone, he wanted to reunite with Byrnes, someone he's been comfortable working with . . . Outfielder Gabe Kapler will host a poker tournament to raise money to fight domestic abuse. For information on the Texas Hold 'Em Tournament in Woburn Dec. 7, log on to www.KaplerFoundation.org.