Red Sox hire Bobby Valentine  —  The Boston Red Sox announced Wednesday night that Bobby Valentine will be introduced as manager Thursday.  —  The team will host a news conference at 5:30 p.m. at Fenway Park to announce Valentine's hire.  —  The hiring comes a little over two months since …

Cubs sign OF David DeJesus  —  The Cubs and outfielder David DeJesus have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with a club option for the 2014 campaign, the team announced on Wednesday.  DeJesus is expected to make $4.25 million in the first two seasons with the option year worth $6.5 million, or a $1.5 million buyout.

Part of dynasty, Bernie leads ballot newcomers  —  Center fielder tallied four rings, displayed grace over 16 seasons … Bernie Williams is already in the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame.  That much was decided in September.  As for that other Hall, you know, the one in the brick building …

Competitive Balance Lottery to shake up Draft  —  Small-market, low-revenue teams to get chance at extra picks  —  There's enough information to digest from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to make Thanksgiving dinner seem like an appetizer.  Getting a grasp on how the First-Year Player Draft …

Slimmer Teixeira seeks improvement vs. righties  —  NEW YORK — Mark Teixeira says that he is already about 10 pounds lighter thanks to diet and exercise, but what the Yankees first baseman really wants to do is bulk up his batting average from the left side.

Rockies, Angels swap catchers  —  The Colorado Rockies completed two moves involving catchers Wednesday night, reaching an agreement with free-agent Ramon Hernandez while dealing Chris Iannetta to the Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Tyler Chatwood.  —  Hernandez will replace Iannetta …

Giants Trying To Trade Affeldt Or Ramon Ramirez  —  The Giants have a ton of money tied up in the bullpen right now, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, so they're trying to move Jeremy Affeldt or Ramon Ramirez.  Many teams seek bullpen help, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers …

Cards seek clarity in Pujols talks  —  While the market for free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols continued to develop Tuesday with news of the Chicago Cubs' interest, the Cardinals are hoping that their chance of re-signing the three-time MVP gains clarity in the next couple of weeks so they can move forward or move on.

Baseball America honors Melvin  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Just got my new issue of Baseball America in the mail today and it's their annual awards double-issue.  In it, they salute Brewers general manager Doug Melvin as their 2011 major league executive of the year.

Rangers Pursuing Andrew Bailey  —  The Rangers signed Joe Nathan last week, but they're still exploring ways of adding relief help, since they aim to enter the 2012 season with the strongest bullpen possible.  They're one of the teams trying to trade for A's closer Andrew Bailey, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.