01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, May 27, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Agent Scott Boras, who represents potential free agents Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe, has been at Fenway Park the last two nights, but not with the intent of restarting negotiations for his clients.

For one thing, GM Theo Epstein has been out of town scouting potential picks in next week's amateur draft. For another, Boras figures that the contractual stalemates will best be revisited after the season.

But Boras did take issue with two popularly held theories regarding the players.

Rebutting the industry-wide belief that catchers degenerate physically once they hit their mid-30s -- Varitek will be 33 soon after the 2005 season starts -- Boras countered: "Studies show catchers don't hit (in their mid-30s) and that they don't play because they don't hit.

"But there are plenty of catchers who play late into their 30s -- Ernie Whitt, Lance Parrish and Bob Boone -- because they can still hit."

As for the suggestion that Lowe, last night's starter, is being distracted by his impending free agency, Boras also thought otherwise.

"When Derek was 3-1 at the end of April, nobody was saying anything," he said. "Now that he's struggling in May, everybody is raising questions. It didn't bother him in April, and it's not bothering him in May."

Boras also argued that opposing coaches and players have told Lowe how welcome he would be with their teams.

"I hear it . . . Derek hears it," he said. "The fact is that Derek Lowe is coveted."

It's no big deal

Over the last few seasons, Johnny Damon has been one of the most reliable base-stealers in the game, seldom getting thrown out. Last year, he was successful 83 percent of the time.

This year, he hasn't been nearly as efficient. Going into last night, he had five steals to his credit, while being thrown out four times, including his last three attempts. Last season, he was gunned down just five times all year.

But neither Damon nor manager Terry Francona expressed alarm yesterday.

"Every time he's run -- even when he's been thrown out -- it's been a good time to run," Francona said. "As the season progresses and it warms up, players tend to swing a bit better and run better. As long as he picks good times to go, (getting thrown out) is not the end of the world."

Then, too, Francona and the Sox share a philosophy in which stolen bases are, if not discouraged, then certainly de-emphasized.

"He could have a lot more steals playing elsewhere," Francona said. "Sometimes those statistics are somewhat skewed because of how we think the game should be played."

Damon said the number of times he's been thrown out is "circumstantial. Of course, I would like to be better. But I understand stealing bases isn't the most important thing here. I'm not concerned about it because it's not a big thing for this team. This team isn't built to steal bases."

Damon, however, vowed that he would "keep getting the green light. By no means am I frustrated. I'm going to help this team and steal some bases. I can't back away from this situation. I've got to tackle it."

A bothersome knee injury in spring training also prevented him from getting into better running shape, Damon said.

Standing 'O' for Andy

A day after Andy Dominique was greeted with a standing ovation in his first major-league at-bat, the Red Sox' clubhouse was still buzzing over the reception.

"I got chills," Francona said. "It was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen."

Dominique wasn't just any rookie, having spent eight years in the minor leagues before making Tuesday's debut. That bit of perseverence may have further fueled the ovation.

"The fans here pay attention," Francona said.

"Whatever (the motivation) was, I was very appreciative," said Dominique. "I'll never forget it. It was an emotional moment."

Maybe too emotional.

"I'm up there," recalled Dominque, "it's my first at-bat in the big leagues. I step out after the second pitch and all I can hear is them chanting my name. I couldn't block it out. It's a moment that will stay in my mind a long time."

Mondesi must choose

Raul Mondesi told reporters in the Dominican Republic that he will choose from among the Anaheim Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Red Sox by the end of the week which team he will sign with, but the Angels are the prohibitive favorites.

"There are other clubs interested in me," Mondesi said. "But I want a team that has an opportunity to advance to the postseason."

Mondesi was released last week by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who voided his contract. Mondesi has been involved in a legal dispute with former Sox infielder Mario Guerrero and had returned to his native Dominican.

The Sox aren't too concerned about Mondesi's reputation, but are unlikely to enter a bidding war for someone they view as a fourth outfielder.

Around the horn

Nomar Garciaparra again worked out and took live batting practice. If all continues as planned, he could be sent on a rehab assignment at the end of next week. . . . After a day off yesterday, Trot Nixon will play the outfield in an extended spring training game today in Fort Myers, Fla. . . . Damon (walk) reached base to lead off a game for the seventh straight time. . . . The Sox have won six of eight Fenway series this year. . . . After starting May 0-5, Boston is 14-6 since. . . . David Ortiz, who stretched his league-leading RBI total to 39, has at least one run batted in in each of his last seven games. . . . Mark Bellhorn has 24 RBI in May, including 11 over his last six games. . . . Varitek (3-for-3) is 9-for-18 (.500) over his last five games.