Closer Foulke is courted

There, side-by-side, sat Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and prized free agent closer Keith Foulke. As the public address announcer introduced Foulke -- with a noticeable emphasis on the words "free agent" -- up came a rousing ovation from the 15,125 in attendance, who had visions of an airtight bullpen dancing in their heads.

Foulke, 31, who with Oakland this past season led the AL in saves (43), made it clear that negotiations with the Sox have just started, but was complimentary of Boston, calling it "a baseball town."

"We're here to see what Boston's about, see what they have to offer," said Foulke, who flew in yesterday from his offseason home in Arizona. "We're in the beginning stages of this, so it's hard to say.

"This whole deal is about Boston trying to get to know me, and me trying to get to know Boston. We're in the early stages of it. It's hard to say what's going to happen."

Asked if he thought Boston could be the place for him, Foulke responded, "That's why we're here."

When Foulke was asked how long his visit to Boston would last, Epstein interjected, "The next four years."

Foulke is expected to seek a three-year contract, with the A's and Mets also bidding for his services. He earned $6 million last season.

The righthander said he will return home to Scottsdale after this visit, and from the sounds of it, this won't be his last tour of the Hub. "When are the Bruins back in town?" he asked. "I'd like to see a hockey game."

For Foulke, the atmosphere was much different from the last time Sox fans saw him here. It was a brisk Sunday afternoon, Oct. 5, and Foulke took the loss in Game 4 of the Division Series on David Ortiz's two-run double that capped a riveting weekend at Fenway.

He appeared in three games during the series, finishing 0-1, though he allowed only those two earned runs in five innings for a 3.60 ERA.

"The only thing I know about that series is that my ERA went up," said Foulke, who was 9-1 with a 2.08 ERA during the regular season. "That's all I know about that series. Playoffs and stuff aside, that has nothing to do with this.

"Obviously, Boston being a baseball town, there are a lot of good things to say -- but that's it. I'm just trying to see what this thing's all about."

Foulke wasn't the only pitcher whose name was making news in Boston yesterday. The town was buzzing after reports indicated a trade for Arizona ace Curt Schilling is a strong possibility. But dealing for such an elite starter could conceivably cut into the club's free agent budget.

"That whole Schilling thing, that's not up to me," Foulke said. "We're going to have to wait and see how that pans out. That doesn't concern me. I'm worried about me and Boston, and that's about it."

Epstein declined to elaborate on how high a priority Foulke was. When pressed about Schilling, Epstein said he had "no comment on the trade market."

But as guarded as the GM and Foulke were, they couldn't stop the baseball-minded fans among the basketball crowd from letting their imaginations go. As fans poured out of the loge escalators and onto the concourse, it didn't take long for them to recognize Foulke -- and drop a none-too-subtle hint.

"Sign now!" one fan yelled, as Epstein, Foulke, and three other men slipped out a side door.