i think he is just being protective of claire. she is the helpless female and he's trying to take care of her. that's it.
as for hurley, he just doesn't want locke and ben to take advantage of hurley.
i think they are just showing us that sawyer does have a softer side, not just the side that cares for kate, but the side that has truly devolped relationships with his fellow losties and has genuine caring for them.
i think we're being set up for sawyer's death.