Graffanino is placed on waivers

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Unable to find a suitable offer for Tony Graffanino, and uninterested in taking the financial hit to cut him or keep him, the Sox have placed the spare second baseman on waivers.

At least a few teams -- including the Mets, Cardinals, and Cubs -- are believed to be interested in Graffanino. But his 2006 cost ($2.05 million) and difficulties at the plate apparently convinced teams not to give up anything for him that sufficiently interested the Sox. In 12 spring games, he's hitting .182 (6 for 32) with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. The Sox have showcased him at first, second, and third base this spring.

The Sox had to make a decision on Graffanino this week, or risk being on the hook for the full $2.05 million. As a player signed through the arbitration process, Graffanino's contract remains nonguaranteed. As of now, the Sox could cut him and owe him 45 days termination pay, which amounts to $512,500. However, his deal becomes guaranteed in full Wednesday.

''It's been very difficult," Graffanino said yesterday. ''Once I knew I wasn't going to be on this club, I wanted to leave as soon as I could. Right now my hope, I guess, is somebody claims me or a trade still works out."

A day after striking out the side in a minor league game, Keith Foulke notched a 1-2-3 inning against Toronto in his spring debut (Alex Rios lined to left, Aaron Hill lined to center, and Russ Adams popped to third). Friday, Foulke needed 13 pitches to set down three Ottawa Lynx. Yesterday, he again needed only 13, 10 of them strikes.

Foulke, according to a scout, threw his fastball at 85-86 miles per hour, touching 87, and threw his one slider at 81 m.p.h., with a good changeup.

''For him, it's just a matter of locating his changeup properly," the scout said. ''[And it's a] question of improving his command and endurance. But I don't see why he can't be back to what he was, a veteran guy like that. The velocity should improve with time."

Foulke, for the second consecutive day, sounded extremely encouraged. He cited ''what I like to call pitcher's hacks. [Hitters] were off a bit. So I thought it was successful. It feels good to feel good again."

Foulke said with repetition he believes there'll be less thinking and more easy movement with his arm, which should increase his velocity.

''When I feel comfortable, and I'm throwing a good fastball, my mechanics are good, all my pitches are easy to throw because they're different grips, but they're fastball deliveries," he said. ''So when I'm on, that's when I can throw four pitches, and know I'll be pretty good."

He expects to pitch tomorrow, twice during the week, again Saturday, ''then go get 'em."

''We got to put Sox Nation at ease and get some people out in big league [spring] games so they're not panicking Monday afternoon [April 3]," Foulke said.

Alex Gonzalez launched a sixth-inning RBI double to left center, though it was only his fourth hit of the spring. Gonzalez, 1 for 3 yesterday, is hitting just .118 (4 for 34) with 1 homer and 4 RBIs. ''A big thing for him is if he can be consistent in his approach," said manager Terry Francona, who has seen Gonzalez go to the plate with a different plan many times. ''If we can get him to be consistent, he'll be fine. I think that wall in Fenway's going to help him." . . . Tim Wakefield allowed four runs on 10 hits, including fourth-inning homers to Eric Hinske and Adams. But the 39-year-old knuckleballer said he feels ready for the season and is quite pleased with Josh Bard's preparation. ''He's pretty dead-on with what I need," Wakefield said of his new catcher. ''It's just a matter of him getting more comfortable back there. I'm comfortable with him back there." . . . Bard, issued Doug Mirabelli's No. 28, changed to No. 77. The rationale: Bard wore No. 7 (property of Trot Nixon) growing up and wanted a number he wouldn't have to give up to a veteran if he changes teams again. A contributing factor: a Denver resident, he rooted for Ray Bourque, the No. 77, when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2001 . . . Bronson Arroyo, in his Reds debut, allowed 6 runs on 7 hits over 5 innings to the Twins yesterday. He is scheduled to pitch here Thursday . . . The Sox dropped yesterday's game, 5-3, before 7,944 at City of Palms and now have what reads like a bad hockey record: 6-16-1 . . . Coco Crisp stole two bases and collected another hit. He's at .462 (18 for 39) . . . Hee Seop Choi, who reported to the Red Sox a day after being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers, went 0 for 1, grounding out in his only plate appearance.