BOSTON -- Even before the winter meetings officially get under way Monday in Orlando, the Red Sox may snare their first free agent of the off-season and move closer to a second acquisition.

"We're continuing to negotiate with a couple of free agents," confirmed general manager Theo Epstein yesterday. "They're at different stages of the process. We may have something done with one free agent before the winter meetings and I know we plan to continue talking to another free agent [there]."

The player the Sox are closest to signing, sources indicate, is Japanese lefty reliever Hideki Okajima. Okajima could compete for a set-up role in the bullpen and also serve as a friendly face for Japanese righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka , whom the Sox continue to pursue.

The free agent the Sox "plan to continue talking to" in Orlando is, of course, outfielder J.D. Drew. The Sox and agent Scott Boras have agreed on a four-year deal for the outfielder, but must still agree on the language for a fifth season, which can only be vested if Drew fulfills some requirements for games played and plate appearances.

"I'm sure it will be a very fast-paced and active meeting for all the teams," Epstein said. "It seems like there are still a lot of needs out there, a lot of available players and it will be fun to see how all the parts settle. There will be trade talks and continued free-agent discussions. It's always a great place to get stuff done because we're all under the same roof."

On the trade front, Epstein wouldn't speak about the status of talks involving Manny Ramirez. The slugger, who has spent the last six seasons in Boston and has two guaranteed years remaining on his gargantuan $160-million contract, has again requested a trade.

"I don't think it's appropriate to comment at this time," Epstein. "Obviously, Manny is a big part of the team. We have no further comment unless or until there's something further to announce."

A handful of teams on the West Coast -- including the Giants, Padres, and Dodgers -- have expressed varying degrees of interest. But baseball sources indicate there are least three other clubs angling for Ramirez, albeit in a less public manner. All three of those clubs, it's believed, are American League teams.

Epstein reiterated that the team intends to shift Jonathan Papelbon from the bullpen to the starting rotation and won't re-think its decision.

"We made the move based on medical reasons," Epstein said. "It was determined that it would be in his best interest, for his long-term health, to be in a situation where he doesn't have to pitch back-to-back days. It was determined that he would benefit greatly from having four days between appearances to strengthen his shoulder, maintain the condition of the shoulder and get on a regular starter's program. It would be contrary to the best medical advice to move him back to the bullpen."

With Papelbon pegged as a starter, the Sox must still obtain someone to fill the closer's role.

"We've had a lot of (trade) talks with teams about trades in which we'd get a closer back," said Epstein. "We've dabbled in free agency, but obviously haven't gotten anything done yet. The search continues, obviously; the bullpen isn't a finished project."

The Padres would be willing to include Scott Linebrink -- whom the Sox believe can close -- in a deal for Ramirez and the Dodgers may be willing to include Jonathan Broxton in a Ramirez swap.

Additionally, the Sox have engaged the Houston Astros in trade talks not involving Ramirez and inquired about both Chad Qualls and Warwick native Dan Wheeler. Alicea returns

Luis Alicea , who played second base for the 1995 A.L. East champion Red Sox, yesterday was named the team's first-base coach. His appointment completes the 2007 coaching staff, in which newcomers Alicea, John Farrell (pitching coach), Dave Magadan (hitting coach) and Gary Tuck (bullpen coach) join holdovers Brad Mills (bench coach) and DeMarlo Hale (third-base coach).

Alicea, 40, spent 13 seasons in the major leagues, playing with the Cardinals, Angels, Rangers and Royals in addition to his one year with the Red Sox. He has been a manager in the Sox' minor-league system for the last three years, at Class A Lowell in 2004 and '05 and Class A Greenville in 2006.

'He's an ideal fit with what we were looking for with a first-base and infield coach," said Epstein.

Ortiz honored again

David Ortiz yesterday was announced as winner of the Thomas A. Yawkey Award as the Red Sox' Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. It is the third straight year Ortiz has won the award.

He will be honored at the 68th Boston BBWAA Awards Dinner on Jan. 11.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340