Sox sign reliever Okajima  —  As reported earlier today by the Herald, the Red Sox announced that they have signed Japanese relief pitcher Hideki Okajima to a two-year contract with an option for the 2009 season.  —  General manager Theo Epstein will introduce the left-handed pitcher …

Beyond Igawa, Yankees Consider a Few Others  —  The Yankees will have five starting pitchers once they sign Kei Igawa, the left-hander from Japan whose negotiating rights they won Tuesday.  But two of those starters have serious health questions, which is why the Yankees may not be done shopping.

Coveted lefty Zito meets with Rangers  —  Owner, GM made pitch to ace and agent Boras on Thursday  —  ARLINGTON — Snow, sleet and ice hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Thursday.  —  So did free-agent pitcher Barry Zito and his agent, Scott Boras.  —  The Rangers are hoping …

Spring training in Tucson now concern for team  —  Scrapping winter caravan plans, the Rockies are considering hosting a one-day Fanfest in downtown Denver before spring training.  The inaugural event could offer a distraction from the team's concern about its spring training site in Tucson.

NO BLOCKBUSTER DEALS FOR TRIBE  —  Attention, Indians fans.  It's time to cheer, in unison: ``Whoop-de-doo.''  —  That spontaneous show of support for the team is in honor of the impending signing of David Dellucci, an outfielder from the Philadelphia Phillies whose agent says has agreed to work for the Tribe.

Selig set to retire happy when contract ends in 3 years  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he will be stepping down in three years when his contract ends, content that the sport is in good health.  —  "I plan to retire," Selig, the former Milwaukee Brewers owner, said Thursday.

The Best Minor League Defenders  —  Prospect analysis has always been one of the most contentious issues in the "stats vs. scouts" debates.  However, for all the breakthroughs in statistical techniques, analysts have almost always had to rely on scouting to assign a value to the defensive contribution of a young player.

AGENT: BRAVES HAVE INTEREST IN GLAVINE  —  Tom Glavine, the most critical Met left with an uncertain future, is still figuring out whether to pitch for the Mets or Braves.  His agent, Gregg Clifton, said yesterday that the "Braves have expressed interest" in him.

Giants working to put lineup pieces in place  —  Team gets offer from Feliz's agent but may opt for Loretta instead  —  The Giants want to focus on trading for a slugging presence during the winter meetings next week, so they hope to make decisions on many free agents before Saturday.

M's add a pitcher - really!  —  This isn't going to show up in the local dailies, and no one in town is going to care, but the M's have signed a pitcher who has a legitimate chance to help them in 2007.  —  Justin Lehr.  —  Okay, I know what you're thinking - he's 29 and has a career 5.31 ERA in 83 innings in the majors.

Padres, Graffanino talking  —  He would fill two needs: second baseman, leadoff man  —  The Padres are talking with the agent of second baseman Tony Graffanino, one of a few candidates San Diego is considering for its starting job.  —  Yesterday, Craig Counsell and the Brewers agreed on a two-year …