Grace in the Hole?

Not Exactly

Wells Not Happy About Being
Odd Man Out to Start the Season

'''Right now it's too early to really speculate on that. If they still feel the same way after a few more outings, we're definitely going to have to sit down and talk. I don't see myself sitting until the 15th to wait to pitch. I just don't see it at all.'

"Francona said, 'We came to camp respecting his wishes [to be traded]. Things change. And I'm happy they changed. At the same token, I'm not going to take the four pitchers I've talked to . . . '

"He halted mid-sentence, changed direction, and said only, 'Sometimes you have to be a little flexible.'

"Wells, informed of this, said if his earlier wish to be moved closer to a West Coast team will be held against him, 'They can grant that first wish.' -- 3.17.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Is He Just Joking Around? Or Throwing it Out There?

"Wells also revealed that he jokingly lobbied Francona to start Beckett ahead of Schilling Opening Day at Texas.

'''I said, 'Why doesn't the young guy come in and start? Why's it gotta be Curt?' Wells said. 'He goes, 'Well, I've known him longer.' I said, 'Oh, we've got to play that game, huh? The I've-known-you-longer game.' We were just joking around.'" -- 3.17.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe