Damon also switched sides, moving from the Red Sox to the Yankees. Trying to mend relations with Boston fans, he took out an ad in the Feb. 8 Boston Globe.

“Many thanks to the great fans of New England and the city of Boston,” the ad stated. “It was a privilege and an honor.”

For much of the winter, the Red Sox seemed to spend much of their energy on their GM job, not on players. Theo Epstein left Oct. 31, then returned Jan. 24, having settled his differences with team president/mentor Larry Lucchino.

Boston dealt shortstop Edgar Renteria to Atlanta, replaced Damon in center field with Coco Crisp, acquired 2003 World Series MVP Josh Beckett from Florida and brought in a new infield: Kevin Youkilis and J.T. Snow will split time at first, with Mark Loretta at second, Alex Gonzalez at shortstop and Mike Lowell at third.

Beckett and Lowell were part of the Marlins’ dispersal, departing in a group that also included Burnett, second baseman Luis Castillo (Minnesota), catcher Paul Lo Duca (Mets), center fielder Juan Pierre (Chicago Cubs), and relievers Todd Jones (Detroit) and Guillermo Mota (Cleveland).

“You manage the club you have. A lot of kids will have a lot of opportunities,” new manager Joe Girardi said.

Girardi replaced retired Jack McKeon and is among five new managers. The others are Jim Leyland with Detroit, Grady Little with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jim Tracy with Pittsburgh and Joe Maddon with Tampa Bay.

Ask the baseball expert: Tony DeMarco Sox, Yankees face obstacles as rivalry renews E-mail your questions

Little still is remembered for his time with the Red Sox, when he stayed with Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning of Game 7 in the 2003 AL championship series only to watch the Yankees overcome a three-run deficit and go on to win the pennant in extra innings.

The Dodgers went 71-91 last year, their second-worst season since they moved west from Brooklyn in 1958, and new GM Ned Colletti added shortstop Rafael Furcal, first baseman Nomar Garciaparra, third baseman Bill Mueller, outfielder Kenny Lofton and relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter.

Frank Robinson returns for his fifth season in charge of the Nationals/Montreal Expos, a franchise still owned by the other 29 clubs. Baseball is battling the District of Columbia Council over a lease for a new ballpark, and commissioner Bud Selig won’t sell the team until an agreement has been reached.

While the Nationals wait for an owner, Houston awaits a decision by Roger Clemens. After winning the major league ERA title at age 43, Clemens wants to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic but isn’t sure whether he wants to play another regular season. He can’t re-sign with the Astros until May 1, and the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers are interested if he’s willing to leave Houston.

He pitched batting practice in late January to Astros prospects, a group that included his oldest son, Koby. Agent Randy Hendricks said Friday that Clemens won’t decide his future until after the WBC.

“It is a five-horse race,” Hendricks said, “with retirement in the lead.”

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay CTB: Should the Yankees get younger? DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: