The Reds have hired three top-notch front office people with the addition of Cam Bonifay, Mike Squires and Jamie Quirk—all people from general manager Walt Jocketty’s past.

Bonifay and Squires will become special assistants to the general manager, and Quirk will be a pro scout with additional duties as directed by Jocketty.

Bonifay, a former general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was hired by Jocketty in 2006 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Before that Bonifay worked five years for the Tampa Bay Rays, “helping to put together that young team that played in the World Series,” Jocketty said. “He is an excellent baseball person.”

Quirk comes from the Colorado Rockies.

“He played for me when I was in Oakland and I’ve followed his career,” Jocketty said.

Should the Reds move Votto to LF?

I was checkin out John Fay’s Blog this morning and caught an interesting tidbit from the Reds Farm Director, Terry Reynolds: The Hawaii Winter League wrapped up Sunday.

Jocketty: Close, but no Coco

General manager Walt Jocketty thought he might be able to swing a deal that would have brought outfielder Coco Crisp to the Reds.

Seattle to name Wakamatsu manager Wednesday (Yahoo! Sports)
The Seattle Mariners will name Don Wakamatsu their manager Wednesday, completing a three-week search for a…

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Report: Red Sox deal Crisp to Royals for reliever

Boston has agreed to send center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez, ESPN Radio 810 in Kansas City reported Wednesday.

Red Sox Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

When David Ortiz was asked about the future of the ballclub immediately following the AL Championship Series Game 7 loss to Tampa Bay, “Big Papi” admitted it was hard to comment about potential trades and free agent improvement that he had little to no control over.

“Why are you asking me that stuff, bro,” Ortiz said. “It’s not up to me to make those kinds of decisions.”

Well, apparently Ortiz had his GM hat on Nov. 13 because he began offering up some constructive ideas on what kind of winter fix-ups might help his ballclub out next season.

First on Papi’s Sox Extreme Makeover: a power hitter and presumed cleanup masher capable of jacking 30 home runs and knocking in 100.

Sox seek right-handed-hitting outfielder

Red Sox trade Crisp to Royals for reliever (AP)

The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez on Wednesday. Kansas City was 12th among 14 AL teams in runs last season and added power last month, obtaining first baseman Mike Jacobs from Florida.

The Reds have hired three top-notch front office people with the addition of Cam Bonifay, Mike Squires and Jamie Quirk—all people from general manager Walt Jocketty’s past.

Bonifay and Squires will become special assistants to the general manager, and Quirk will be a pro scout with additional duties as directed by Jocketty.

Bonifay, a former general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was hired by Jocketty in 2006 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Before that Bonifay worked five years for the Tampa Bay Rays, “helping to put together that young team that played in the World Series,” Jocketty said. “He is an excellent baseball person.”

Quirk comes from the Colorado Rockies.

“He played for me when I was in Oakland and I’ve followed his career,” Jocketty said.

Should the Reds move Votto to LF?

I was checkin out John Fay’s Blog this morning and caught an interesting tidbit from the Reds Farm Director, Terry Reynolds: The Hawaii Winter League wrapped up Sunday.

The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez on Wednesday. Kansas City was 12th among 14 AL teams in runs last season and added power last month, obtaining first baseman Mike Jacobs from Florida.

Silence is a sure sign the Red Sox want Teixeira (Yahoo! Sports)
The silence, according to the Boston Globe, is a sure sign the Boston Red Sox are quietly chasing Mark…

Red Sox considering Baldelli for bench role? (Yahoo! Sports)
With Coco Crisp sent packing to the Kansas City Royals , the Boston Red Sox now have a hole in their outfield…

MLB says Tribune set Dec. 1 deadline for Cubs bids
Bidders for the Chicago Cubs have until Dec. 1 to submit offers, Major League Baseball said Wednesday after a meeting of its …

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Brian MacPherson’s SoxBeat: Pedroia relishes MVP selection

Two punches. Monarchs forward Kevin Westgarth, a 6-foot-5, 247-pounder, needed only a left hook and right uppercut to floor Jeff Szwez of the Philadelphia Phantoms.

Massarotti: Sox will break bank for Teixeira

Here’s a prediction: By the time this is over, win or lose, the Red Sox effectively will have made Mark Teixeira the largest contract offer in the history of your storied franchise.

Report: Red Sox deal Crisp to Royals for reliever

Boston has agreed to send center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez, ESPN Radio 810 in Kansas City reported Wednesday.

Red Sox Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

When David Ortiz was asked about the future of the ballclub immediately following the AL Championship Series Game 7 loss to Tampa Bay, “Big Papi” admitted it was hard to comment about potential trades and free agent improvement that he had little to no control over.

“Why are you asking me that stuff, bro,” Ortiz said. “It’s not up to me to make those kinds of decisions.”

Well, apparently Ortiz had his GM hat on Nov. 13 because he began offering up some constructive ideas on what kind of winter fix-ups might help his ballclub out next season.

First on Papi’s Sox Extreme Makeover: a power hitter and presumed cleanup masher capable of jacking 30 home runs and knocking in 100.

Griffey becomes American Public Diplomacy Envoy
Ken Griffey Jr. has joined a new team. The star outfielder became the newest American Public Diplomacy Envoy, introduced Tuesday …

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Oakland owner: Make first round of playoffs 1 game
Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball’s postseason: Make the first round best-of-one.

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Pujols joins MLS expansion effort
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is adding his star power to a group working to bring an MLS expansion team to the area.

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Former Red Walters up for Hall

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Pujols joins MLS expansion effort
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is adding his star power to a group working to bring an MLS expansion team to the area.

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Rivalry resumes over Burnett’s services
Red Sox amping up Burnett chase After not having their usual fierce competition during the 2008 season, perhaps the Red Sox and Yankees will resume their historic rivalry in full force during the Hot Stove season.

Ramirez ‘ecstatic’ to join Red Sox
Ramirez ‘ecstatic’ to join Red Sox With memories of Fenway Park’s electric atmosphere, newly acquired reliever Ramon Ramirez couldn’t be happier to join the Red Sox.

Griffey becomes American Public Diplomacy Envoy
Ken Griffey Jr. has joined a new team. The star outfielder became the newest American Public Diplomacy Envoy, introduced Tuesday …

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Sox made move to suspend Manny

On July 25, Red Sox management had an official letter of suspension delivered to Manny Ramirez, but he played the next day and wasn’t disciplined.

Joe McDonald: Monumental season puts Red Sox’ Pedroia in leadoff spot for A.L. MVP

At 3 p.m. today the American League Most Valuable Player Award will be announced.

Court to hear baseball urine sample seizure appeal in December
The case dealing with the government’s seizure four years ago of Major League Baseball players’ urine samples will go before …

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Tools sought in Orioles‘ rebuilding process
They tore down the scoreboards at Camden Yards last year not that a lot of pleasant information for Orioles fans has been posted …

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Sox ship Crisp to KC for Ramirez
Sox ship Crisp to KC for Ramirez For more than a year, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said that he did not feel any urgency to deal center fielder Coco Crisp and that he would only do so if it improved the team.

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Pedroia left off one ballot
Pedroia left off one ballot When it comes to voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award, two newspaper writers from all 14 AL cities fill out a ballot with 10 players.

The story of ‘Boo’ for a new generation
Boo gets his due

Pujols overcomes pain to reign as NL MVP for second time
St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, who had another monster season despite a painful right elbow that required offseason surgery, …

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Signing 1B Mark Teixeira worth chaos for Boston Red Sox

He would command $20 million a year, but unlike the last Red Sox [ team stats ] player who pulled down that kind of dough, the team would get more than a good bat for its buck.

Pedroia standing tall as AL MVP
Pedroia standing tall as AL MVP This one is for everybody who doesn’t weigh enough to play professional football and isn’t tall enough to play professional basketball. It turns out that there is still room at the very top of the sports world for somebody who, even by the standards of the general population, is something very different from big.

Shortstop shopped by Red Sox is expensive; his stats are comparable to departing Renteria.

If so, is he still any good? The Julio Lugo-to-the-Tigers rumors came alive over the weekend when the Boston Globe acknowledged the possibility.

Youkilis finishes third in AL MVP race
Youkilis finishes third in AL MVP race In the aftermath of finishing third in the American League Most Valuable Player Award, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis had a big smile on his face.

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Japanese schoolgirl drafted by pro baseball team
A 16-year-old schoolgirl is making a pitch to become the first woman to play professional baseball in Japan.

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Pedroia comes up big in winning AL MVP honors
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has won the American League Most Valuable Player award. Pedroia got 16 of the 28 …

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Pujols joins MLS expansion effort
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is adding his star power to a group working to bring an MLS expansion team to the area.

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M’s to name A’s bench coach Wakamatsu as manager

And then there was one. After an extension search, which included seven interviews in four days, the Seattle Mariners are set to name Don Wakamatsu their new manager, a source told The Seattle Times.

Joe McDonald: Monumental season puts Red Sox’ Pedroia in leadoff spot for A.L. MVP

At 3 p.m. today the American League Most Valuable Player Award will be announced.

Signing 1B Mark Teixeira worth chaos for Boston Red Sox

He would command $20 million a year, but unlike the last Red Sox [ team stats ] player who pulled down that kind of dough, the team would get more than a good bat for its buck.