Interesting revision made to Wells script

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It runs in the Epstein family, of course, this ear for the theatrical, the latest example being Theo Epstein's brother-in-law, Dan Futterman, up for an Oscar last night for his remarkable screenplay of ''Capote" (although he didn't win).

So it is worth noting that Epstein had a decidedly different take on the scene in which David Wells, the reluctant Red Socker, pulled him aside this weekend to tell him that he had decided after all that he wants to stay here in Boston. That left the Sox GM smiling ''from ear to ear," according to the Boomer.

''I think that's probably overdramatic," Epstein said in a hallway outside the clubhouse. ''David's been known to be dramatic."

Wells may also have badly misread the script when he said his decision to dispense with his trade request ''took the pressure" off Epstein. There is no evidence to suggest Epstein felt the least bit perturbed that Wells had spent his winter agitating for a trade back to his hometown of San Diego, an effort that even included Mick Jagger lobbying for Boomer's return during a Rolling Stones concert at Petco Park last November. For all the posturing, and the phone calls to Padres GM Kevin Towers from Wells's agent, Greg Clifton, and the personal appeal Wells admitted making to Towers himself, Epstein recognized that Boomer did not have the last call on this one.

Just as with Manny Ramírez, the Sox could pledge to try and satisfy Wells's request, but if they had their fingers crossed behind their backs all the while, there was nothing the player could do about it. He could have made himself a monumental distraction -- and to Wells's credit, he has not gone down that road this spring -- but beyond that, he had no leverage.

''Nothing significant has changed," Epstein said. ''He was under contract to the Red Sox and still is. What's changed is he feels good about staying. We're happy he feels good about staying."

So what accounts for the change of heart? It definitely wasn't the money. While Wells said he mentioned to Epstein that it might be nice if he made his performance incentives more attainable -- Wells gets paid $200,000 for every start he makes from 11-20, and $300,000 for every start from 21-30 on top of a base salary of $2.5 million -- Epstein said that isn't going to happen. ''We don't restructure contracts," Epstein said.

More likely, it finally dawned on Wells that the Sox and Padres were not going to get a deal done. Towers publicly acknowledged as much in the middle of last week when he said, ''I don't know if our two organizations match up. We really haven't had any discussions about Boomer since January."

The Sox weren't going to take a salary dump like pitcher Woody Williams from the Padres. Their interest in reacquiring Dave Roberts waned when they added backup outfielders Willie Harris and Dustan Mohr, and Roberts's agent, John Boggs, said he has a commitment from Towers not to move Roberts until the July trading deadline at the earliest.

Funny thing is, Wells's declaration of fealty to Yawkey Way may actually aid his chances of being dealt, with other clubs finally realizing Epstein wasn't bluffing in the least about his willingness to hold onto Wells. The Sox still could wind up moving Wells if they are willing to take prospects in return, or if they decide later in camp that the planned platoon of J.T. Snow and Kevin Youkilis might not be the answer at first base, though Youkilis did his part in endorsing that strategy when he homered last night in the Sox' exhibition win against Team Australia.

There might even be a match with the Padres if first base became a need. For Wells, the Padres almost certainly would try to pawn off Ryan Klesko, who hasn't played first with any regularity since 2003 and has not approached the power numbers he put up earlier in his career but has a salary that roughly matches Boomer's.

But assuming Wells is healthy -- ''My knee is still hurting, I'm not getting any younger, my arm feels great and the rest of me is subpar" was his self-assessment -- it appears more likely that the Sox will hold onto Wells while fielding offers for Matt Clement and perhaps Bronson Arroyo. Ideally, this is the rotation the Sox would like to open the season with: Curt Schilling, Wells, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, and Jonathan Papelbon. In that scenario, Arroyo goes to the pen as a swingman, and Clement is pitching in another uniform. But Wells is at least a week away from getting on the mound -- his knee surgery was serious enough that he claims it put him in a wheelchair for a while -- and Papelbon's services may be required as closer if Keith Foulke flames out again.

''With Wells," one National League scout said last night, ''you never know because of that knee whether his next start will be his last one, but he's still one of the best big-game pitchers around."

Wells won 15 games last season, in part, he freely admits, because he enjoyed the best run support in the league. Opponents hit .296 against him last season, more than 20 percentage points higher than they hit over a three-year period (2001-03) when he was still in the American League. Lefties hit .343 against him, and on the road, opponents batted .327.

But he was 8-1 with a 3.07 ERA in Fenway Park, and 12-3 with a 3.90 ERA after June 8. That's impressive.

''I could roll off 15 wins," he said. ''That sounds like a good number. But I'm not predicting [expletive]. I'll tell you that."

Wells had every chance to finish out his career at home, but left San Diego for the money in Boston. John Henry's signature is still good. And so is the Boomer.