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December 3, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
NASHVILLE -- Notes from the first day of baseball's winter meetings . . .
-- General manager Theo Epstein had nothing new to report on trade talks with the Twins for Johan Santana. When asked if he would set a timetable for Minnesota to accept or reject the Sox' offer, as the Yankees say they've done, Epstein replied: ''We're pretty content where we are. I don't think anything's being held up (by talks with the Twins). If that changes, we wouldn't hesitate putting a timetable on it. But that doesn't apply right now.''
--- Epstein is less busy at these meetings than he's been in the past, and he admits, ''The phone's ringing less -- with the exception of a few players of ours thought to be available -- than in previous years.'' He was seen in the lobby today, a rarity, and said, ''We decided to walk the lobby and try to get something started. It didn't work.
''Obviously, we made some calls and talked to a couple of teams about deals, and to some agents. For us, most of our roles to be filled are reserve roles. That part of the market usually settles later.''
-- When asked if he'd be disappointed if the Red Sox left here without making a deal, he said, ''We don't have to execute transactions to make us feel good. We're satisfied as long as we explore the possibilities.''
-- Reliever Craig Hansen had a surgical procedure to correct sleep apnea. He can't work out in the immediate aftermath of the surgery, but after Jan. 1 he's going to be in California working out daily.
-- Minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator Lou Frazier has taken a job with the Pirates as first-base coach.
-- All members of the Sox' coaching staff have agreed to new contracts. Not all have signed, but all will return.
-- Terry Francona was named Manager of the Year today by Baseball America. ''That's very well deserved,'' said Epstein. ''Sometimes for teams that are expected to contend, the manager gets overlooked. I'm glad Baseball America didn't overlook Tito. He did a fantastic job, as he has every year, and we're very proud of him.''
Posted by Art Martone 
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