The Red Sox don't believe in stealing a lot of bases, and when you see David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the 3-4 spots, you can see why. Ortiz and Ramirez represent perhaps the most lethal combination in baseball. With those two big bats looming, the Red Sox don't need to manufacture a lot of runs at the risk of giving away outs. Sure, Crisp will run when he has the chance. But I don't think the Red Sox will have him go out of his way to steal bases.

Do you think that Kevin Youkilis is going to be the everyday starter at first base and if not, how much do you think he will play?
-- Nick E., England

Youkilis figures to get the majority of at-bats at first base this season, and he can also spell Mike Lowell at third. I think the Red Sox are excited about seeing how Youkilis responds to getting a chance to be in the lineup every day. Youkilis has looked like a confident player throughout Spring Training, and confident in a good way.

Why hasn't Lenny DiNardo been around for Spring Training? I haven't seen or heard his name mentioned. I figured he'd be in there a lot making a bid to be the only lefty in the 'pen.
-- Harry Q., Plymouth, Mass.

DiNardo was out of camp for a while because of his participation for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. As for DiNardo being a lefty out of the 'pen, he's not a true southpaw reliever in the sense that he actually fares better against right-handed batters. DiNardo's best role for the Red Sox at this point would be as a long man. The question is: With all the depth the Red Sox have from a pitching standpoint, will they have enough roster spots to have a long reliever?

How often do you think Curt Schilling will pitch inside, and will this new pitch impact his performance and return him to his 2004 form?
-- Ryan E., Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

I think that at the very least, Schilling wants to create the idea that he's going to focus more on the inner half of the plate. Hitters will be less comfortable if it's in the back of their minds that he has a new weapon. Schilling is the type of pitcher who looks for every advantage, be it tactical or psychological.

Do you feel that Craig Hansen will be in the Sox bullpen at the start of the season, or will he need some innings with Triple-A Pawtucket first? This kid is extremely talented and acts awfully mature for his age.
-- Ralph H., Concord, N.H.

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The way the roster is composed right now, Hansen will likely open the year at Pawtucket. But I wouldn't expect him to stay there that long. He has overpowering stuff. Once he refines everything, he should have his share of success at the Major League level.

Do think when the Yankees first play at Fenway, Johnny Damon will get booed or taunted? Or will the fans respect him for the great seasons he had with the Sox?
-- Ed C., Gouldsboro, Maine

I'd like to think the fans would give Damon a loud and long ovation, much like they did for Orlando Cabrera last year. The Red Sox made a business decision not to go above a certain dollar figure to keep Damon, and Damon made a business decision to take a substantially more significant offer from the Yankees.

All Damon did for four years in Boston was play his heart out, and that's what he should be remembered for. The fact that he went to Boston's archrival is sure to annoy the fans. That's what makes it a great rivalry. But I believe that Damon should get a warm thank you for what he did in Boston during that first at-bat in a Yankee uniform. If the cheers turn into boos after that, that's just the nature of the rivalry, and nobody knows that better than Damon.