01:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 25, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Despite the presence of two first basemen on the roster, the Red Sox yesterday added a third, claiming Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Choi, 27, is joining his fourth organization, having previously played for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins and Dodgers. He was displaced by former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra at first base.

When the Dodgers attempted to get him through waivers, the Red Sox pounced, having followed him closely. The Sox had attempted to make a deal with the Dodgers in recent weeks, but were unsuccessful.

Choi is known as a streaky hitter. He hit .253 with 15 homers and 42 RBI in 133 games for the Dodgers last season. Though he owns a career fielding percentage of .992, Choi does not have the reputation of being a good fielder.

"We have liked Choi for a long time and view this as an opportunity to acquire him when his value is down a bit," Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. "We like his power, his patience and his hands at first base. Choi provides depth for us at first base and in a way third base as well, considering Kevin Youkilis' ability to play both positions."

The Sox apparently see him as an insurance policy for either third baseman Mike Lowell or first baseman J.T. Snow, two veterans who have struggled this spring.

If Lowell continues to show poor bat speed, the Red Sox could have Youkilis play third against right-handers with Choi playing first. Should Snow not show more offensively, Choi could become Youkilis' backup at first.

Because Choi has options remaining, the most likely scenario is for him to start the season in Pawtucket, where he could get his swing in order and be available when the parent club needs him. He's scheduled to make $725,000 this season, his fourth in the big leagues.

"We'll see how our roster shakes out, but Choi does have minor-league options if we want him to get every-day at-bats in Triple-A for a period of time," Epstein said.

The move came a day after Choi played his first game of the spring for the Dodgers in which he went hitless in four at-bats. He spent most of spring training playing for Korea in the World Baseball Classic.

"I think this is good for me because I want to play a lot but I think the Dodgers have a lot of good players," Choi said yesterday before leaving the Dodgers' spring training facility in Vero Beach. "I have no chance here. I feel a little shocked and sad because I like this team. I think I will have a better chance with Boston. I don't know what the situation there will be."

In the WBC, Choi's three-run homer off Dan Wheeler, a Pilgrim High alumnus, helped South Korea beat the United States, 7-3, on March 13.

Schilling at full strength

Curt Schilling has one spring start remaining -- Wednesday against the Pirates -- but feels he's ready to open the season now.

"I felt like I'm where I should be," said Schilling after pitching seven innings in a Triple-A game against Ottawa yesterday, a game won by Pawtucket, 7-6. "I overthrew the ball in certain situations, but everything feels good."

Schilling threw seven innings and gave up five runs on eight hits while striking out 10 and walking none. He gave up a homer and also hit a batter. Of his 109 pitches, 82 were strikes.

"I felt very, very strong at the end of the game," he said. "I'm very excited about the fact that I feel very strong. That certainly wasn't my limit, from an effort standpoint."

Schilling's fastball reached 94 mph, as he continues to show good velocity. But as evidenced by the eight hits by a Triple-A lineup, he's not getting away with any mistakes.

"Stuff-wise, if my next start was Opening Day," he said, "I'd feel very confident about where I'm at. I just have to get sharper."

Yesterday was the first time that Schilling had thrown to Jason Varitek since last fall. Varitek rejoined the team last weekend after taking part in the World Baseball Classic.

"After a day like today," said Schilling of the pairing, "we were right back to it after a couple of innings."

Sox fall to O's

While Schilling and Keith Foulke threw at City of Palms Park, the rest of the Red Sox were across the state, being shut out by the Baltimore Orioles, 2-0, in Fort Lauderdale.

The Sox managed just two hits off four Baltimore pitches -- singles by Lowell and Jeff Bailey.

Lenny DiNardo was sharp in a starting assignment, tossing four shutout innings. Julian Tavarez provided two innings of scoreless relief and David Riske and Craig Hansen each contributed a scoreless inning each before the O's got two runs in the bottom of the ninth off East Providence native Barry Hertzler.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.