Many people took notice of the relationship between Colombia-born shortstop Edgar Renteria and Dominican-born shortstop Hanley Ram?rez, including the Red Sox manager. ''Edgar Renteria has done a great job of making him feel wanted," Terry Francona said in March. ''It's nice to see." Yesterday, Renteria made his most interesting -- and selfless -- gesture yet toward the 21-year-old prospect. Ram?rez was on hand yesterday -- just visiting during a day off for his Portland team -- and while discussing the Double A phenom, Renteria, without prompting, said he'd be willing to give up his position when Ram?rez is ready for the big leagues. ''His talent is incredible," Renteria said. ''When you see someone you like, you're happy for them, you want them to play well. I don't mind that he plays my position. He has the talent to play, if there are ways for him to make it -- for him to move to another position or me to move to another position." Would Renteria -- who has played shortstop for all but two of his 1,300-plus career games -- be willing to do that? ''If I have to," said Renteria, who in December signed a four-year, $40 million contract (plus an option for 2009). ''I don't know another position. But if I have to, I'll do it." The popular theory is that the Sox will convert Ram?rez into a center fielder who can patrol Johnny Damon's outfield spot once agent Scott Boras comes asking for a deal, say, in the neighborhood of five years, $60 million after the season. But Ram?rez is playing shortstop every day in Portland, and no member of the Sox brass has indicated that he'll do anything otherwise. ''I don't know about [Ram?rez playing] center," Renteria said. ''I just know one thing. That he can play." It's an interesting proposition, Ram?rez at shortstop and Renteria at either second or third base.