Having Varitek and Martinez allows bullpen coach Gary Tuck to work with the young Red Sox catchers in spring training. The feeling is that Mark Wagner is close, and his good start in the Dominican (12 games, .294, .890 OPS) has been encouraging. Luis Exposito, who is in the Arizona Fall League, has the most raw tools, and Tim Federowicz is considered by several staff members as a future every-day major league catcher who because of his college experience (three straight trips to Omaha) could blow through the system quickly.

There seem to be several ways the Sox could go at shortstop, although it is clear they want Jed Lowrie to play at Pawtucket, make up for what amounts to a lost season and prove that his wrist will hold up. In the meantime, they could sign Alex Gonzalez at a discount, perhaps add Omar Vizquel as depth, or look at some of the other alternatives. They love Marco Scutaro, but he is a Type-A free agent and unless they get a couple of No. 1 picks from Bay and Billy Wagner signing with other teams, they will be reluctant to part with the draft choice.

They knew he could run. But they are also extremely encouraged by his embrace of the cultural assimilation program the Red Sox have in place. Iglesias has worked hard to learn English, and has grasped the complications of coming from the Cuban culture.

"What impressed me is that he squares the ball," says an NL scout. "He's not some overwhelmed teenager. He squares the bat on the ball. He shows some pop, and with his speed, if he learns to steal bases, could be a pretty good offensive player."

There has been optimism in the bowling-alley office of the Red Sox baseball operations people that Iglesias could see Fenway Park by 2011. Now, if Lowrie is healthy, he could be a 50-extra-base-hit guy in Fenway, and if Yamaico Navarro is healthy, he is a solid shortstop prospect.