Talks continue with Papelbon

Renewing closer's contract an option

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Red Sox expected to continue negotiations last night with the agents for closer Jonathan Papelbon on a new deal. The sides have talked about both a multiyear deal (unlikely) and a one-year contract that would pay Papelbon well north of the $550,000 White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, who has similar service time, received.

If they can't reach an agreement, the Red Sox would have the option of renewing Papelbon's contract for an arbitrary figure. He was paid $425,000 last season. The Sox have said any players who have not signed by today will be renewed, a group that also includes Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, and Manny Delcarmen.

Lester gets work

Lester pitched three innings in yesterday's 7-6 exhibition loss to the Reds, giving up four hits and a run. He gave up a swinging bunt single to Ryan Freel and a base hit to Scott Hatteberg in the first, but got out of it when Kevin Youkilis grabbed a hot smash at first, stepped on the bag, then tagged Freel in a rundown - exactly the plays the Sox had worked on in morning drills. "Wasn't that great?" bench coach Brad Mills said. "They all did what they were supposed to."

Lester got two quick outs in the second, then gave up a double to Drew T. Anderson and an RBI single by Jolbert Cabrera. He walked Paul Bako after getting ahead, 1 and 2, then fell behind Freel, 3 and 0, before Freel fouled off two pitches and grounded to third. Lester finished with a 1-2-3 third.

Trailing, 7-2, after the Reds scored five unearned runs off Javier Lopez following a throwing error by third baseman Keith Ginter, the Sox drew within a run, but Jed Lowrie was cut down at the plate to end the game as he attempted to score from second on Joe Thurston's infield hit.

Colon sharp again

Bartolo Colon had another problem-free bullpen session and is scheduled to throw another tomorrow, then face hitters in batting practice three days later. "I feel very good, and after what all the trainers have been doing with me here, I've seen a lot of progress," Colon said through translator Eddie Romero, the team's coordinator of Latin American operations. "That's very important." Colon said a truer test will be when he faces hitters for the first time . . . Coco Crisp, nursing a sore groin, did not play and is not likely to play today, according to manager Terry Francona. Julio Lugo was scratched after experiencing tightness in his lower back during drills, the manager said. Alex Cora played shortstop . . . The Sox have added a four-inning simulated game Saturday morning. Michael Bowden and David Pauley will pitch three innings apiece; eight players from minor league camp will be added for the game, scheduled to begin at 10. Admission is free. With the big club headed for Japan, the Sox have added three minor league games to the City of Palms schedule. Their Single A affiliate, Lancaster, will play March 22, and Triple A Pawtucket has games March 24 and 27. All games are scheduled for 1 p.m., with free admission . . . Former Sox pitcher Derek Lowe is scheduled to face Tim Wakefield this afternoon here, with Francisco Liriano, the Twins' recuperating star, scheduled to go tomorrow against Clay Buchholz in a split-squad game. Julian Tavarez draws the start, and the bus ride, when a Sox' split squad plays the Orioles tomorrow afternoon in Fort Lauderdale.

New teachers

The Sox' minor league staff has been conducting weeklong seminars, educating the entire staff on the club's approach to hitting, pitching, catching, base running, and outfield play. The organization has seven new staff members, including Ethan Faggett, assistant director of player development. Rich Sauveur, who spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues, begins his first season as Triple A pitching coach after spending the last two seasons in Double A with the Brewers. He replaces Mike Griffin. Tom Goodwin, who played 14 seasons in the big leagues, joins Gary DiSarcina as a coach in Lowell. Another former big leaguer, Billy McMillon, will be the hitting coach in Greenville, joining manager Kevin Boles, who the last two seasons managed the Twins' entry in the Gulf Coast League. McMillon, like Goodwin, will be making his coaching debut. Former Marlins pitcher Chuck Smith, another coaching novice, is the pitching coach for Lancaster, while former big league infielder Luis Lopez joins Lowell in his first pro coaching job. David Herrera joins the staff as trainer for the Gulf Coast Sox. What's striking is the diversity of the hires. Faggett, Goodwin, McMillon, and Smith are African-Americans. Minor league field coordinator Rob Leary notes that the club this winter invited 40 players to minicamp; 78 showed up. The first official minor league workout is scheduled for Sunday . . . A Red Sox spokesman said the club has not taken action in connection with the felony arrest of pro scout Jesse Levis, who was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct for an alleged incident at a Port St. Lucie hotel.