Player analysis, Part Two . . .

11) MICHAEL COLEMAN
Position: Outfield. 2001 stats (with N.Y. Yankees): .211/.205/.289. 2002 spring training stats (through March 13): 14 at-bats, .143/.294/.214. 2002 Baseball Prospectus projection: .250/.323/.461
Michael Coleman? Back in a Boston uniform? Of all the things that have happened in the last six months -- the sale, the firings, the placing of seats on the field, whatever -- this, to my way of thinking, is the strangest.

(Well, all right, not the strangest. But it's up there.)

As we noted yesterday, all signs point to a Coleman/Buford battle for the last outfield spot. As meaningless as exhibition games can be, they may not be meaningless for Coleman and Buford. If Coleman plays well, he could win himself a job . . . since, as we said, he has an upside that Buford's lacking.

Since this is Michael Coleman, there are (of course) other questions. Is his head screwed on straight? Has he checked his ego at the door? Does he recognize this for what it is -- a last chance -- and is he acting accordingly? With all that's happened in Fort Myers this spring, we haven't heard much about the man we not-so-affectionately remember as Prime Time. We may be hearing more in the days to come.

Still. Michael Coleman, in a Boston uniform. As recently as last April, who'd have thought?

12) RICKEY HENDERSON
Position: Outfield. 2001 stats (with San Diego): .227/.366/.351 . 2002 spring training stats (through March 13): 20 at-bats, .250/.318/.350. 2002 Baseball Prospectus projection: .201/.329/.236
Remember that old poem about Johnny Mize? (Your arm is gone/Your legs likewise/But not your eyes, Mize/Not your eyes) That's Rickey Henderson today . . . except, to be completely accurate, you'd have to substitute "bat speed" for "legs".

Rickey Henderson's main -- his only -- offensive strength these days is the ability to draw a walk (and to motor around the bases once he does). The Dan Duquette/Joe Kerrigan Sox appeared willing to live with the deterioration of virtually all his other skills in the hopes of exploiting the one talent he still has. I have no idea if the Mike Port/Grady Little Sox feel the same way. The BP projection is ghastly, and Henderson is worthless if they're right. If they're wrong, he has some value. His optimal use would be in a platoon with Brian Daubach to serve as DH on the days Manny Ramirez plays left field, or to play left field on the days he doesn't. At the very least, it would be nice to have someone around who can steal a base every now and then. (Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram figured out that since he entered the majors in 1979, Henderson has stolen more bases than the Red Sox franchise over that time span.)

Still. Rickey Henderson, in a Boston uniform. As recently as . . . well, forever, who'd have thought?

13) REY SANCHEZ
Position: Second base/shortstop. 2001 stats: .281/.300/.336 . 2002 spring training stats (through March 13): 18 at-bats, .111/.111/.111. 2002 Baseball Prospectus projection: .261/.299/.329
Another big clue as we attempt to determine which direction the new regime will take us. If Rey Sanchez is the starting second baseman, that's a leading indicator they value defense and are willing to sacrifice offense. If Rey Sanchez is a backup infielder, we may be able to conclude they're looking for an offensive/defensive balance. If Rey Sanchez doesn't make the team, it could mean the new owners don't want millionaires sitting on the bench, for either financial or team-chemistry reasons. Or they may feel they have enough hitters to compensate for Sanchez's wet newspaper of a bat and need his vacuum cleaner of a glove.

The case for Rey Sanchez is simple: The Sox' middle defense needs tightening, and he's the perfect guy to tighten it. (Or have we forgotten the unforgettable Baseball Prospectus line: "If there's one player who justifies being on the field for his defense, it's Sanchez.") With a pitching staff lacking, except for Martinez and Urbina, in strikeout pitchers, it would be nice to transform a few would-be groundball singles into groundball outs. And it would be wonderful to turn a double play every now and then.

If Jimy Williams were still managing the team, Rey Sanchez would be playing second base. If Kevin Kennedy were the boss, Jose Offerman would have the job. That's what's so interesting about a change at the top: We don't yet know the likes and dislikes of the new bosses. If you think about it, there are very few places where those preferences manifest themselves. (If you have Manny Ramirez, for instance, you play him no matter what.) Second base is one of those places, and Rey Sanchez is going to be a key element in our understanding of the New Boston Red Sox.

15) CASEY FOSSUM
Position: Starter/reliever. 2001 stats: 44 1/3 innings, 4.87 ERA, 44 hits, 20 walks, 26 strikeouts. 2002 spring training stats (through March 13): 10 innings, 0.90 ERA, 10 innings, 4 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts.
I admit, I really wanted him to start the season in Pawtucket . . . but now I'm beginning to wonder. Spring training is spring training, and exhibition statistics are exhibition statistics. Still, he wasn't overwhelmed in his 13-game debut last season and he certainly doesn't seem overwhelmed now. Plus, he's 24 years old, which is about a decade younger than the average age of recent Boston pitchers. (Yeah, yeah, I know. An exaggeration. But not by much.) It would be so nice to have someone with the potential to (greatly) improve, instead of a staff full of guys who are never going to be any better than what they are.

There's no denying Fossum could use some Triple-A time. Nor is there any denying it would be awfully tough to send him down if he continues to pitch as well as he has. I don't know if it's better to hope he keeps doing well, or hope he gets shelled a few times and punches his ticket to McCoy.

17) WILLIE BANKS
Position: Reliever. 2001 stats: 10 2/3 innings, 0.84 ERA, 5 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts. 2002 spring training stats (through March 13): 6 innings, 3.00 ERA, 8 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts.
One of the last of Dan Duquette's waiver-wire specials, someone who could actually be a contributing factor in the bullpen but someone who is always three consecutive bad outings from being designated for assignment. I like him, and I think he has more value than Bryce Florie (whose role, I assume, he'll be inheriting). He may have to pitch a little better in the last few weeks to solidify his position, though.

More tomorrow.