Ortiz pitches to Ramirez

Although there is still some activity regarding a Manny Ramírez-for-Miguel Tejada swap, Red Sox manager Terry Francona is planning on having Ramírez as his left fielder.

Francona said David Ortiz has been a big help in trying to talk Ramírez into staying.

Whether Ortiz has been able to get through to Ramírez is another matter. The Baltimore Orioles also are asking for at least two pitchers in return.

Major league sources shot down a scenario in which the Mets would get involved in the Ramírez-Tejada deal.

Both Ortiz and Francona will engage in contract negotiations for extensions after Jan. 1. Both are represented by Patrick Rooney, who yesterday said he's been assured by Sox CEO Larry Lucchino that both clients will have a negotiating session. Ortiz has one year (at $6.5 million) and an option for 2007 ($7.75 million) remaining on his deal. Francona is due to earn $600,000. Only five major league managers make less money.

Signals crossed

There were mixed signals on just how close the Mariners and Red Sox are on a deal for center fielder Jeremy Reed.

One Mariner official said a deal for Reed had been discussed by the organization, but the official didn't believe a deal was imminent. The Mariners might be interested in Matt Clement, although his second-half breakdown and offseason knee surgery are causes for concern.

The Mariners covet Bronson Arroyo because of his versatility and price tag, and they have interest in Trot Nixon. The Sox have been on the Reed bandwagon for some time, although the Mariners believe Reed will never hit for power.

The Sox are still trying to sort out Johnny Damon's situation. Dodgers manager Grady Little has been trying to recruit Damon.

Rice not optimistic

Jim Rice said he won't get his hopes up for induction into the Hall of Fame. Ballots close Dec. 31 and he believes this year will be his best shot. ''I thank Dick Bresciani for the statistical package he put together of my career that I know has gone out to the voters," Rice said from his home in Anderson, S.C. ''I think if that doesn't convince voters that I should be in, I don't know that anything will. I played the game hard. I played every day. I played hurt. I played the game one way every day and I hope that what I did in the game will be recognized." . . . Minor league player development consultant Tony Cloninger recently signed on for another year with the Red Sox. Cloninger, the former pitching coach under Little, developed bladder cancer in March 2003 and took a medical leave. He's been cancer-free since his treatment and said he would enjoy being a major league pitching coach again. Cloninger was very high on two of the prospects the Red Sox dealt in the Josh Beckett trade, Anibal Sánchez and Harvey Garcia. ''Garcia throws 97 miles per hour and he made so much improvement from when I saw him early to the time I saw him later in the year. He's a ways away, but you can't deny his arm." Of Sanchez, Cloninger said, ''Another kid with an excellent arm and excellent stuff."

Major leap

Fenway Park will host a regular-season minor league doubleheader Aug 26. The ''Futures at Fenway" twinbill, the first minor league game to be played at Fenway since 1977, gets under way at 2 p.m. The Lowell Spinners, the Sox' short-season Single A affiliate, take on the Oneonta Tigers in a New York-Penn League contest. After a brief intermission, which will include player-fan interaction, the Triple A Pawtucket Red Sox will battle the Rochester Red Wings in an International League game. Ticket prices will be announced soon. ''We are very excited about this first-of-its-kind doubleheader, which will combine the unique charm of minor league baseball with the spectacular backdrop of Fenway Park," said Lucchino. ''Mayor Menino first approached us with this unique idea. The mayor thought this would be a wonderful event for the city, for Red Sox Nation, and for families, given the lower ticket prices. For many of our minor leaguers, this will be their first chance to play at Fenway, and it will be the first opportunity for many of our fans to see some of these Red Sox stars of the future."