We now know Grady Little is the new manager of the Boston Red Sox.

We also know there will be a lot of work for Little to do and a short period of time in which to get it done. Opening Day, after all, is three weeks away.

There's a reason teams almost never fire managers in spring training -- it's disruptive and presents an almost impossibly steep learning curve.

But the new owners of the Red Sox believed they had no choice when they fired Joe Kerrigan last week and began their two-minute drill for his replacement.

As a favor to Little, here's a brief "To Do" list to help hit the ground running.

1. Get Manny Ramirez on board
As the team fell out of contention in the second half of last season, Ramirez grew increasingly detached and disinterested. He was in no hurry to bounce back from a minor wrist bruise over the last week of the season, and at times questioned whether he had made the right move in leaving Cleveland for Boston.

	Manny Ramirez Designated Httr Boston Red Sox Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SLG AVG 142 41 125 93 .609 .306

Ramirez isn't a troublemaker. But he is hyper-sensitive at times and needs to be engaged by the new manager. Little has a head start since his first season in Cleveland coincided with Ramirez's last, and the two related well to each other.

Little needs to do something to get Manny to hit -- and behave -- the way he did in the first half of last season (.335-26-84) and not as he did after the break (.259-15-41).

2. Pick a second baseman
The team spent a good deal of the offseason looking to upgrade this position, unhappy with the way Jose Offerman has played defensively and offensively the last two seasons.

Offerman's career dropoff has been frightening. Only four seasons ago, he stole 45 bases; over the last two years, he's 5-for-15 in stolen-base attempts. Worse, Offerman is a liability defensively, as the Sox were second-to-last last in the American League in double plays last year.

After curiously passing on Pokey Reese -- they traded for him, then didn't tender him a contract -- the Sox settled on Rey Sanchez, who's in camp on a minor-league deal.

The Sox don't need a lot of offensive production out of the position. What they need is someone who can catch the ball and help make double plays, whether it be Sanchez, Quilvio Veras, or a rejuvenated Carlos Baerga.

3. Settle the clubhouse
The Red Sox embarrassed themselves last year with selfishness and finger-pointing. Many of the troublesome players, led by Carl Everett, are gone, which should make Little's job easier.

Still, it's vital that Little grab the attention and respect of the team. He's the fourth manager the Sox have had in the last eight months and the players need to know that order and continuity have returned.

In Jimy Williams' first four seasons, the Sox were a focused, united team, resulting in two playoff appearances. That sense of direction and togetherness must return for the Sox to be successful on the field again.

4. Find a stable lineup
One of the complaints about Williams was his unwillingness to stick with the same lineup for any stretch of time. Williams believed in keeping his players fresh and interchanging parts, but when injuries struck last year, the changes were too much.

At least six position players should play every day -- Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek and Tony Clark -- which should cut down on the shuffling.

There are some mix-and-match players such as Brian Daubach (who can play first or outfield), Shea Hillenbrand (third and first) and Baerga (second and third), providing some flexibility.

But for the most part, this is a veteran team that doesn't need a lot of tinkering. When it comes to what's needed in terms of managerial style, less is more.

5. Forge a relationship with the front office
Dan Duquette and Jimy Williams had a very uneasy existence for much of their time together. More than once, Williams arrived in the clubhouse, only to find a player there he hadn't expected.

The two clashed on philosophy (with Duquette stressing power bats and Williams favoring pitching and defense) and personnel (Duquette pushed Izzy Alcantara on an unwilling Williams), making for awkward and counter-productive working environement.

In interim GM Mike Port, Little will have a more open and communicative executive. But ownership's imprint will be on the team, and Little needs to get along with CEO Larry Lucchino, too.

6. Develop a strong rotation behind Pedro Martinez

	The new manager needs 30 starts out of Pedro and some starters to come in behind the Boston ace.

Any hope the Sox have of contending begins with the health of the game's best pitcher. But even a healthy and happy Martinez doesn't guarantee the Sox a spot in the postseason.

As in previous years, the Sox must get productive starts and plenty of innings from the rest of the starters. For now, John Burkett, Derek Lowe and Dustin Hermanson will fill the next three spots, with Frank Castillo, Tim Wakefield and Juan Pena battling for the fifth and final spot.

Somehow, the Sox must get close to 30 wins from two of the other starters. Lowe, converted back to the rotation after several seasons in the bullpen, could be a key here.

7. Help create a less one-dimensional offense
Years ago, former Red Sox manager Joe Morgan fielded a question from an inquiring fan after a spring training game.

"Why don't the Red Sox run more?" asked the fan.

"Why don't we run? Because we can't, sir," said the ever-candid Morgan.

Finally, however, the Red Sox can run. New leadoff man Johnny Damon has by himself the speed to steal more bases than the entire Sox team (46) did last season.

Green lights will also be given to Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra, each of whom is capable of stealing 20 bags.

No one expects the Red Sox to turn into the '59 Go-Go White Sox. But they would do well to put some pressure on the opposition and diversify the attack some.

And while they're at it, the Sox could work on cutting down on stolen bases allowed. They gave up an unconscionable 223 last season.

8. Learn the roster -- quickly!
Little will have less than three weeks to learn the personnel on hand, a tough task to be sure.

It's expected that the present coaching staff will be retained, and those coaches can bring Little up to speed the rest of spring training. Lee Thomas has been watching the club while Port helps conduct the managerial search, and Thomas will be of great help in evaluating.

But there are a lot of decisions to make in short order: Is Wakefield best utilized as a starter or reliever? Can Rickey Henderson still play? Does Clark or Brian Daubach play first? What about second base?

9. Handle the media
Home of the Super Bowl champ Patriots, Boston remains a baseball town first and foremost, and Little will find his every move and decision dissected on talk radio and analyzed in the six papers that travel with the team.

Little will find the cozy Fenway clubhouse overrun with reporters, and cameras and microphones everywhere. How he deals with the influx will be critical.

10. Take care of Pedro
Everything starts with ace. No matter how careful Williams and Joe Kerrigan were with him, Martinez inevitably broke down. He started just 18 games last year and hasn't started 30 times since his first season in Boston in 1998.

It may not be realistic for the Sox to expect Martinez to provide them with 35 starts, given his history and his balking right rotator cuff. But the key will be getting 30 starts rather than 20.

In other words, if Martinez stays off the disabled list, the Sox can be a factor. But he'll need to get extra days, and the new manager must realize that there's no sense in pitching Martinez any more -- or longer -- than is necessary.

Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal covers baseball for ESPN.com.