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Hansen's here

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Craig Hansen -- you know, that closer out of St. John's, drafted in the first round and projected to save the Red Sox bullpen -- isn't quite ready to give up on those Red Sox closer dreams. After all, he's still 23 years old and has barely enough minor league experience to discuss. And Hansen, in his first talk to the media today in this year's spring training, said all the right things. He's not fixated on closing. Really, he just wants to be headed to Boston -- instead of Pawtucket -- when camp breaks.

Even with the lack of a bona fide closer in the Sox' current bullpen.

"I can see that as an opportunity, but I'm basically going out there trying to win any role, whether it be middle relief, long relief, closer, set up," Hansen said. "I'm looking to pitch and help out the team as much as I can.

"If I had the choice I would like to close but that's basically not in my hands. The only thing I've been working on is just trying to earn a role whether it be middle relief or closing."

He followed with more thoughts on the closer's role.

"It's something that I've got to earn, definitely, something that I'm going to be working for now and in the future and throughout the rest of my career."

And, while he's trying to prove himself, he's taking that whole "Todd Helton-for-Craig Hansen" thing as a compliment. Why wouldn't it be, after all?

More from Hansen can be found in your very own copy of the Boston Globe in the morning. We do hope you'll check back to see what else the tall guy had to say -- for those who have forgotten over the winter, he's 6-foot-5 -- about his preparations for the upcoming season. He, certainly, will be one to watch.