03/31/2002

HOUSTON -- Since the Red Sox left for spring training in the middle of February, they've gotten: new owners, a new general manager, a new manager, a new pitching coach and a new scouting director.

Other than that, not much has changed.

After wrapping up the exhibition season with a 13-3 pasting of the Houston Astros here yesterday, the Sox returned to Boston very much a team in transition, but by the looks of it, very much improved, if for no other reason than improved health.

A look at the questions that were settled over the last six weeks and a few which remain as Opening Day dawns.

INJURIES: The Sox begin the year with some nagging injuries to pitcher John Burkett (shoulder) and spare outfielder Michael Coleman (strained hamstring), which should resolve themselves fairly soon.

More important, the injuries which knocked out the Big Three of Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra seem completely healed. Garciaparra has shone again this spring, and while Varitek has taken longer to get his timing down behind and at the plate, that will come, too.

As for Martinez, his concerns appear more mental than anything. His command has been spotty, but the velocity is true and expectation is that, sometime soon, he'll give himself permission to completely cut loose.

The return of these three alone makes this a much-improved team.

COMEBACKING VETERANS: Two of the most pleasant surprises of the spring were Carlos Baerga and Rickey Henderson.

Baerga reported to camp on a mission to save his career, and did -- he went into yesterday hitting .422. He won't be a regular, but he'll provide a veteran, switch-hitting bat off the bench, while occasionally filling it at second, third and maybe even first.

Henderson was another revelation, right down to his 11th-hour contract snafu. His presence will provide speed, on-base ability and the intangible looseness he provides to a clubhouse. He may not play a huge role, but it's a safe bet that he won't go unnoticed when he gets into games as DH, or occasionally, as a backup for Manny Ramirez in left.

CLUBHOUSE KARMA: The difference is palpable this spring. The new owners, new front office and new manager have created a better working environment, and of course, it doesn't hurt that the team added while subtracting a few malcontents from their midst.

New manager Grady Little, who was last with the team three years ago, said: "You don't have quite so many people looking over your shoulder. We've got people doing things the right way, starting at the top, and that goes all the way down to the clubhouse."

REMADE ROTATION: Only Martinez and Frank Castillo were part of this rotation last April.

Gone are Hideo Nomo, David Cone, Bret Saberhagen and others who helped cobble together the makeshift staff a year ago. This staff is, for the most part, young and, excepting Burkett, healthier.

The schedule allows for some tinkering and rest in the first few weeks. It will be up to pitching coach Tony Cloninger and Little to bring along Martinez slowly, while providing enough work to keep the rest sharp.

FITS LIKE A GLOVE: Up the middle, at least, this is the best defensive Red Sox team in recent memory.

A healthy Garciaparra and Varitek provide automatic upgrades at short and catcher, respectively, while newcomers Johnny Damon and Rey Sanchez represent significant improvement at center and second.

Damon doesn't throw well, but he tracks balls nicely in center. Sanchez, though me may not hit much, will be fun to watch as he gets comfortable around second working with Garciaparra on double plays.

A NEW DIMENSION: This Red Sox team will be less reliant on the long ball, though Ramirez, Clark and Garciaparra will still hit their share.

Damon offers the team's first true base-stealing threat at the top since Otis Nixon almost a decade ago, and Henderson, however sparingly he's used, is still capable of running successfully against anyone. They won't set any records, but it's a safe bet they will easily outstrip last year's putrid team total of 46.