01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 20, 2005

BOSTON -- Waiting for a blockbuster trade from the Red Sox before the July 31 deadline?

That could be an exercise in futility. Instead, expect more of what took place yesterday -- a series of small deals, performed on the margin, designed to improve the team's depth.

In the span of a few hours yesterday, the Sox landed a spare right-handed-hitting outfielder and another experienced -- and versatile -- infielder. It should go without saying that neither Adam Hyzdu nor Tony Graffanino is likely to alter the pennant race.

But then, this is 2005, not 2004. A complex, four-team deal that completely remakes an entire portion of the roster isn't in the offing this time.

The Red Sox could use an upgrade in the bullpen, of course, but then so could nearly every other playoff contender. A report out of Minnesota indicating that the Sox were contemplating a Bill Mueller-for-J.C. Romero swap was both overstated and premature.

Romero could help and the Red Sox like him. But Mueller's too important to the Red Sox infield to be dealt now. The Mets' Roberto Hernandez intrigues the Sox for the set-up role, but for now, the Mets believe they're too close in the National League wild-card race to begin selling off players.

Billy Wagner? Only in the event that Curt Schilling fails in spectacular fashion as the team's ad-hoc closer and things get really desperate.

As for starters, the Sox continue to monitor what Florida does with A.J. Burnett. Yesterday, the rumored deal

that would send Burnett to Baltimore for Jorge Julio, Larry Bigbie and Heyden Penn seemed to be losing momentum.

But unless the Marlins back off their demand to have Mike Lowell taken in a deal for Burnett, the Sox will be bystanders.

The Sox had first called about Graffanino over the weekend, only to find the asking price to be exorbitant. But after two days of phone calls, the Sox negotiated down and satisfied the Royals with Chip Ambres -- potentially a fourth-outfielder in the big leagues -- and Single-A pitcher Juan Cedeno.

Steady and versatile, Graffanino will provide a better bat at second and will likely platoon at the position with Alex Cora. Graffanino can -- and has -- played every infield position, giving manager Terry Francona additional in-game options.

A last-minute holdup yesterday was getting Graffanino to waive his relocation bonus. The Red Sox are responsible for about $500,000 left on his $1.1-million contract.

Ironically, with the Sox in the middle of a a stretch of four games in which they've faced left-handed starters, the right-handed-hitting Ambres would have been an adequate short-term solution for the Sox. But because he was out of options, the organization was afraid it would lose him when the time came to make a roster move and return him to Pawtucket.

Instead, Ambres was sent to get Graffanino and the Sox filled their outfield need by shipping Scott Cassidy to San Diego for Hyzdu, who arrived yesterday.

Hyzdu, who spent last season and this spring with the Red Sox, was reacquired yesterday, giving the Sox a righty bat in the outfield until Gabe Kapler plays himself back into shape in Pawtucket. The Sox expect Kapler to be ready in the first week of August after a two-week rehab stint at Triple A.

Hyzdu probably won't get many starts over Trot Nixon in right when an opposing lefty starts. But if the Sox have to move Kevin Millar to right -- as they did last night to face Casey Fossum -- they have another outfielder to give them versatility in the late innings.

When Graffanino arrives today -- the Sox and Royals didn't finalize the swap until late yesterday afternoon -- the Sox will need to make a corresponding roster move.

That could involve returning Kevin Youkilis to Pawtucket just two days after he was recalled from Pawtucket. Graffanino provides insurance at third base -- he played 14 games there for Kansas City this season -- making Youkilis expendable -- again -- for the time being.

Meanwhile, 12 days remain until the trading deadline. If the Sox continue to be active, it's more likely that the moves will be made on the smaller scale.