Newcomer Kevin Frandsen ‘Very Fortunate’ to Be Joining Red Sox Organization

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Mar 28, 2010

Newcomer Kevin Frandsen 'Very Fortunate' to Be Joining Red Sox Organization FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kevin Frandsen was showing off a fat lip, courtesy of a ball he fouled off the ground and into his mouth the other day.

While it was drawing plenty of attention, the Red Sox' newest acquisition has not needed any talking points as he gets settled into things in Fort Myers.

"The good thing is I already have known [Dustin Pedroia] for a while and [Kevin Youkilis], and Jacoby [Ellsbury] and Clay [Buchholz] I played in the fall league with so I'm pretty good on knowing a few guys," said Frandsen, who was acquired in a trade with San Francisco on Friday. "I'm settled on that."

What remains to be settled is Frandsen's exact role with the Sox. He has played second base, shortstop, third base and a little outfield as a major leaguer, and all four infield spots in the minors.

He also has a minor league option, giving the club a little more flexibility as they round out their 25-man roster in the next week.

"No expectations right now," Frandsen said. "I just go out and play hard the next week and let everything settle itself. I'm not here to predict anything, I'm just here to do my job and my job is to help out as much as I can to win here, and if it's going down there to Pawtucket I'll prepare myself to come up here and make sure I'm ready to go."

Frandsen, who has known Pedroia since high school, said he is most comfortable at second base but has no hesitation about handling any other role. He took grounders at both middle infield spots Sunday morning at City of Palms Park.

Once a highly rated prospect in the Giants' system after being selected in the 12th round of the 2004 amateur draft, Frandsen admitted that leaving the only organization he has ever known was bittersweet.

"You have all your friends and everyone that you deal with on a day-in, day-out basis over there and guys you hang out with in the offseason with the Giants," said the 27-year-old. "Then you find out the news [of the trade] and it's like 'Oh man.' Then you find out it's the Red Sox and you're like 'Alright, I'm good.'

"You can't find a better organization to make that switch to. I know I'm very fortunate."

With Jed Lowrie a virtual no-show this spring due to a bout of mononucleosis, the club has been looking at just Bill Hall and Tug Hulett as its best options to fill in the reserve middle infield roles.

But Hall has had a few shaky innings at short and Hulett has just 65 major league at-bats.

With a week to go before the opener against the New York Yankees, Frandsen — a career .240 hitter in parts of four season with San Francisco — will be given every opportunity to head north with the Sox.

Fat lip and all.

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