LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With little apparent success, the Red Sox focused a good portion of their day yesterday trying to find a closer.

According to sources, the Sox approached the Milwaukee Brewers about a deal for Derrick Turnbow , who vacated the closer's role after the Brewers obtained Francisco Cordero in a July trade. The Brewers told the Sox that Turnbow wasn't available.

The Sox also met with the agents for Octavio Dotel and Joe Borowski, but their interest in both is minimal. Dotel, who threw poorly for the Yankees in the second half after returning from Tommy John surgery, is looking for a $4 million guarantee, way beyond what the Sox believe he's worth.

As for Borowski, after agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, he failed a physical, killing the deal. Other teams are now understandably leery of the condition of his shoulder.

General manager Theo Epstein said it was possible the Sox could head to Fort Myers next February without a closer in place.

"(Manager Terry Francona ) definitely believes in defined roles once the season starts," said Epstein. "But he's not opposed to competition in spring training. We'll definitely have (a closer) by Opening Day and probably have one by the end of this month."

One free agent targeted by the Sox at the end of the season now seems off the table: Miguel Batista . Batista had closed for Toronto in 2005 before moving back into the starting rotation for Arizona last season. The Sox thought he might be an option, but with the market for starting pitching being what it is, Batista now stands to get a far better contract marketing himself as a starter.

Foulke a possibility

Agent Dan Horwits yesterday raised the possibility that Keith Foulke That would bind Foulke to the Sox and bring him back to Boston after the Sox failed to pick up their option on him and Foulke later passed on his own player option for $3.5 million.

The Sox made the offer to guarantee they'll get a draft pick in compensation should he sign elsewhere. Privately, they doubt Foulke will accept, since with his poor performance the last two years, he'd be unlikely to get an arbitration award larger than the salary he already turned down.

The Lugo sweepstakes

The Sox remain in the hunt for free agent Julio Lugo , with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs.

Interestingly enough, all three clubs view him for different positions. The Mets want him to play second base, while the Cubs are considering him as a potential center fielder.

Only the Sox view him as a shortstop, his natural position. They can offer him the chance to play the position of his choice, while the Mets offer him an opportunity to play in his hometown. The Cubs, meanwhile, would mean a reunion with Lou Piniella , who managed Lugo in Tampa.

The Sox aren't willingly to go much beyond $9 million annually for Lugo. If he gets that kind of an offer, the Sox will find their shortstop internally -- either Alex Cora , recently re-signed, or Dustin Pedroia , who has been targeted as the second baseman in 2007.

"It's an easier transition to the big leagues at second base," said Epstein. "But he's played shortstop his whole life."

Drew deal delayed

The Sox had expected to announce a deal with J.D. Drew , but that has been delayed. Drew must still take a physical and there's some minor work to be done on the language for the fifth year of the deal.

Some have speculated that it may be financially difficult for the Sox to sign Drew and keep Manny Ramirez , too, but that doesn't appear to be a concern.

Around the bases

Tim Wakefield, who lives an hour from here, came by to have dinner with Francona and meet with new pitching coach John Farrell. Farrell also met with Mike Timlin, who lives near Tampa. The Sox believe that Timlin's poor second half was the result of participation in the World Baseball Classic and its effect on his spring conditioning.

"He's spent (the equivalent of) eight half-seasons (with the Sox) and seven have been outstanding," Epstein said. "You tend to give him the benefit of the doubt."

Spotted in the lobby: ex-Red Soxers' Reggie Jefferson (working with agent Fern Cuza , who represents both David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez ) and Ellis Burks , now a front office assistant with the Cleveland Indians.

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