"Boston doesn't have the prospects, but it may have the cash," said one Expos official. "So we could get rid of our payroll cutting in one deal."

Shea Hillenbrand would be in the deal, plus either Casey Fossum or Freddie Sanchez.

But the key would be if Boston would take Fernando Tatis and the $6.75 million he is owed. Montreal thought the Red Sox would, so indications were that Boston would then get a couple of prospects.

"There is no way in the world that we're taking Tatis," said a Red Sox executive. "No way."

How does Boston come up with the money? The feeling is that the Red Sox might not be able to get Cuban defector Jose Contreras because of his immigration snafu.

"He has 30 days to get his residency in Nicaragua or he has to get his residency in the U.S. and go into next June's draft.," said one major league official.

So, where the Red Sox had counted on Contreras, they might take his money and go for more than $13 million in Tatis and Vazquez or Colon.

That said, the Red Sox still think Contreras will be a free agent and that they will sign him. While Minaya pushed Colon, they want Vazquez. The Red Sox asked for minor-leaguers they could buy, and they will still talk about Jose Vidro, which Minaya doesn't seem to buy.

Clearly, Minaya was trying to play Boston against New York, although the Red Sox would rather let the Yankees take Colon and leave Contreras to them. If the Yankees got Colon, that would be the end of Roger Clemens.

And there's another theory.

"The word is circulating that MLB doesn't want Omar to make a deal until the non-tenders (Dec. 20)," said an National League executive. "He can freeze a lot of people."

Another problem for the Sox is that Clifford Floyd's agents are threatening to accept arbitration, which might cost Boston $9 million. With Jeff Kent out in San Francisco because of the Edgardo Alfonzo signing, there is speculation that the Dodgers could sign Kent to play first base at a lower price than Floyd would cost. Of course, if Boston could sign Kent to a two-year deal, that might change things.

The Red Sox thought they had Alfonzo signed before the Giants stole him away. Boston had an offer for two years and an option that appeared to be a deal until the Giants stepped in with the four years. Alfonzo would have played third for Boston, with Hillenbrand moved for a reliever.

"We're not sure what's happening," said Brian Sabean, who seemingly has bettered the Giants and given them much more speed around Barry Bonds in a remarkable whirlwind of signings. "We told Edgardo we don't know where he's playing. Or Durham. If Kent takes arbitration? We'll see. We're above budget, so we have work to do."

Sabean is trying to find a home for Russ Ortiz, a pretty darned good pitcher. If Kent comes back? "We're always a work in progress," said Sabean.