Red Sox To Hire Bobby Valentine  —  Bobby Valentine will become the next manager of the Red Sox, reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston (on Twitter).  He is expected in town on Wednesday.  Mike Lynch of WCVB-TV in Boston was the first to report that the two sides had reached a verbal agreement (Twitter link).

Mariners eyeing free-agent dance partners  —  Hot Stove expected to fire up at Winter Meetings  —  SEATTLE — When Jack Zduriencik and the Mariners brass head to Dallas next week for the Winter Meetings, they'll be looking for ways to improve an offense that ranked last in the Major Leagues in most categories last season.

More Draft Details From The CBA  —  More details about draft changes resulting from baseball's new collective bargaining agreement continue to trickle out.  Some highlights:  — The draft has been reduced from 50 to 40 rounds.  — The draft caps for all 30 teams for the first 10 rounds …

Sources: Dodgers, Adam Kennedy close  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to an agreement with free-agent infielder Adam Kennedy, according to multiple sources.  Length and terms of the deal weren't immediately available.  —  Kennedy, who can play first, second and third …

Giants extend Sabean, Bochy through 2013  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants executed a pair of long-anticipated moves Tuesday by extending the contracts of general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy through 2013 with club options for 2014.  —  The moves maintained the continuity …

Crane can hit homer with new hires  —  If the Astros hire Rays GM Andrew Friedman, then more power to them.  But new owner Jim Crane shouldn't count on it, given Friedman's loyalty to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and club president Matt Silverman.  —  No, Crane should count on conducting …

Greg Maddux leaving Cubs organization  —  After two seasons as a special assistant to the general manager, Greg Maddux is leaving the Cubs, according to major league sources.  He soon may be named to a similar position with the Texas Rangers, joining his older brother Mike.

Royals To Sign Jonathan Broxton  —  The Royals announced that they have agreed to sign Jonathan Broxton to a one-year deal, pending a physical.  The deal is worth $4MM and includes $1MM in incentives based on games pitched for the 27-year-old right-hander, who will be Kansas City's setup man in 2012.

Evans signs with Pirates  —  Nick Evans, who had been with the Mets since the team made him him a fifth-round draft selection in 2004, has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his agent Marc Agar told the Daily News.  Evans agreed to a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training.

Sources: Tigers interested in Angels' Izturis  —  The Tigers have interest in trading for Angels infielder Maicer Izturis, major-league sources told FOXSports.com, and it's believed that he ranks behind Atlanta's Martin Prado on Detroit's trade wish list.  —  The Tigers are looking for upgrades …