Sox close to re-signing Cora

With the Red Sox' middle-infield situation up in the air for 2007, team sources indicate that they are closing in on a two-year deal with Alex Cora, which should protect the Sox in case of an injury or if their offseason pursuits fall short.

Both Alex Gonzalez and Mark Loretta remain free agents, though the Sox have indicated they're not closing the door on either player. The Indians and Mets have expressed interest in Loretta, and the Sox meanwhile are exploring the possibility of free agent Julio Lugo, who basically became a jack of all trades for the Dodgers after he was dealt from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles at the trade deadline.

The Sox, who are expected to have competition from the Blue Jays and possibly the Mets, have coveted Lugo, who can play shortstop or second base.

Cora proved a versatile player for Terry Francona last season, able to spell both Gonzalez and Loretta.

He appeared in 63 games at shortstop, 18 at second base, and 11 at third base.

At a press briefing yesterday at Fenway Park to introduce new pitching coach John Farrell, Sox manager Terry Francona also had an update on pitcher Jon Lester, who is being treated for a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. "The one thing I feel comfortable saying is his spirit is unbelievably positive," said Francona, who himself spent a couple of days in a Los Angeles hospital with a foot infection. "I think he's doing fantastic. That's all I'm really comfortable saying, because of the privacy issue. I'm very proud of his ability to handle this." Francona also said Jonathan Papelbon told him that his arm is "feeling great." That was welcome news for Francona, who said the young righthander probably received a "wake-up call" after experiencing arm problems at the end of the season.

Both Farrell and Francona were excited about what is ahead for Papelbon as he converts from closer to starter.

As for rounding out his coaching staff, Francona said, "We were going to start working on that in Phoenix but my foot got in the way. But we'll start addressing that soon and it's probably something we can handle over the next couple of weeks."

With Bill Haselman gone, Francona still needs a first base coach, and the team has not made an announcement on the status of Al Nipper, who served as pitching coach last season.

Farrell said he has spoken to a "good majority of the pitchers" and plans to get to know them as much as possible between now and spring training.

Francona said he would like to have roles set in the bullpen once the season starts but added, "It's hard to talk about it now because here in early November there are holes. There's going to be holes for a while. The puzzle will be filled as we get there. Things will come together."

On getting used to a new pitching coach, Francona said, "This won't be difficult. This will be enjoyable. We're very familiar with each other. We've never worked together as far as manager/pitching coach, but we've played together and been friends for a long time."

Francona said he didn't know much about the Sox' interest in Japanese star righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka.

"Not too much," he said. "I understand our front office has a job to do. I haven't been in there for a while because I was nursing that foot, but I know our front office puts -- I don't want to say a number -- but a figure on a player, and if he falls in our area, we'll go after him. But I certainly haven't heard his name out there like maybe you're alluding to."

The bidding ends tomorrow.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.