Losing out on Carl Pavano, the Sox sign David Wells. Not willing to pay Orlando Cabrera's asking price, they're close to landing Edgar Renteria.

01:00 AM EST on Sunday, December 12, 2004

When the Red Sox arrived in Anaheim, Calif., for baseball's winter meetings, the assumption was they would leave town with Carl Pavano in their starting rotation and either would have acquired, or would be looking to acquire, a low-priced stopgap at shortstop who would keep the position warm for the eventual arrival of Hanley Ramirez.

That goes to show why, as the old saying goes, you should never assume.

The Sox lost the Pavano Sweepstakes to the Yankees, directly contradicting almost unanimous speculation that the 29-year-old right-hander would be signing with Boston. But the Sox' actions last week -- their near-signing of Twins right-hander Brad Radke to a three-year deal, and their subsequent acquisition of veteran left-hander David Wells -- means they probably knew what no one else did . . . mainly, that Pavano-to-the-Red Sox wasn't the slam dunk many seemed to think it was.

And the Red Sox have taken the money they saved by acquiring Wells instead of Pavano and are using it to make a significant lineup upgrade.

Multiple sources indicated last night that Sox are about to sign free agent Edgar Renteria -- the finest shortstop available on the open market -- to a four-year, $40-million contract. The deal is contingent on Renteria's passing a physical exam.

Signing Renteria to a four-year contract would seem to block the path of Ramirez, the heir apparent at shortstop. But Ramirez still has no Triple-A experience -- and less than a year at Double-A under his belt -- and now can be brought along at his own pace, rather than pushed to fit an organizational timetable. And his skills are such that, should he prove to be major-league ready sooner rather than later, he could be shifted to second base or center field while Renteria plays shortstop.

Renteria, who won't turn 30 until next August, vies with Derek Jeter for the title of baseball's best shortstop now that Alex Rodriguez is at third base (and Nomar Garciaparra's injuries have impacted his game to the point that he can no longer be considered a member of the so-called "Holy Trinity"). He is at least the equal of Orlando Cabrera -- whom he'll be replacing at shortstop -- defensively, and is far superior offensively.

After progressing steadily in 2002 and 2003, he had an off-year with the bat in 2004, a slump some blamed on contract distractions. Even so, he batted .287 with 37 doubles and a slugging percentage over .400.

In 2003, though, he hit .330 with 13 homers, 100 RBI, a .394 on-base percentage and a .480 slugging percentage. That followed a .305 season in 2002 in which he hit 11 homers with 83 RBI and had a .364 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage.

It's expected Renteria's offense will bounce back in 2005, especially with the move from Busch Stadium to hitter-friendly Fenway Park. If he hits the way he did in '02 and '03, the Sox would have a powerful bat to add to Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz near the middle of the order.

And if the Red Sox do sign him, they will have basically made a Renteria-Wells for Cabrera-Derek Lowe trade, which, if the players perform as expected, means the Sox will have upgraded both positions.

The Red Sox also made other moves yesterday.

ESPN reported they reached agreement on a one-year, $1-million contract with left-hander John Halama. A combination starter/reliever, Halama is most effective out of the bullpen; he had a 2.46 E.R.A. in 44 innings as a reliever last year, and his relief E.R.A. over the last three years, spanning 136 1/3 innings, is 2.64. His signing may terminate the Boston career of Mike Myers, with whom the Sox have until Jan. 8 to reach contract agreement, since the Sox probably have no need, or desire, for three left-handers in the bullpen (Alan Embree being the other).

On other fronts, the Sox spent most of yesterday attempting to nail down a contract agreement with Pedro Martinez. Reports are a signing could be imminent. And at least one Internet report says the Sox are also close to re-signing catcher Jason Varitek.