The Boston Red Sox are “moving toward” acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan, ESPN.com’s Gordon Edes is reporting.

Hanrahan, a 31-year-old right-hander, saved 36 games for the Pirates last season and 40 in 2011, the first year in which he served as a full-time closer. With a fastball that reaches the upper-90s, he struck out more than a batter per inning in 2012.

The Red Sox could tab Hanrahan as their closer in 2013 and shift Andrew Bailey into a set-up role in hopes of solidifying their bullpen, but it is unclear what the Pirates need in exchange to complete the deal, according to Edes.

Hanrahan saved a total of 76 games over the last two seasons for the Pirates and is a year away from free agency. With incumbent closer Andrew Bailey still a question mark after a season in which he was injured for most of the year, then pitched ineffectively, it makes sense that the Sox would explore bullpen upgrades.

It is unclear what the Pirates would be getting back in return. Pittsburgh has been looking for pitching, primarily starters, but just came to terms with Francisco Liriano.

One major league source said Pittsburgh is seeking a “significant return” for Hanrahan, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons. He earned $4.1 million in 2012 and can expect a significant bump in salary arbitration, to close to $7 million.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the deal is likely for multiple players.

#redsox still talking to #pirates about hanrahan. likely be for multiple players. jose iglesias not in current offerings—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 22, 2012

Ryan Dempster agreed to a deal with the Red Sox Thursday, after turning down the team last week. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Ryan Dempster reached a two-year, $26.5 million agreement with the Red Sox on Thursday, according to a baseball source in an ESPN.com report. The deal is pending a physical.

The right-handed Dempster turned down a two-year, $25 million offer last week from the Red Sox and a two-year, $26 million deal from the Royals, according to the source. The 35-year-old Dempster was believed to be seeking a three-year deal but apparently decided to settle for a two-year agreement.

According to a tweet Thursday morning from Fox Sports senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, the two sides are reportedly close to a deal that would bring the Texas Rangers free agent to Beantown, but the deal will likely have to be better than the two-year, $25 million contract Dempster turned down from the Sox last week.

Two general managers are confident the Sox will make it a done deal and that the team will go the extra mile to include a third year in the contract, though, according to a report Thursday morning from Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, it’s not clear whether Dempster would want that third year guaranteed or if he would be fine with it simply being a team option:

One general manager said, “They’re overpaying for shorter term. The team that gives him three at market or close to market will get him, but the Red Sox may hike up the average annual value on two years and get it done that way.”

Dempster, 35, has pitched 200 or more innings for the Cubs for four consecutive years, and before that, he pitched 200 or more innings with the Miami Marlins for three straight years. He recorded a 2.25 ERA and a 5-5 record with the Cubs, and then a 7-3 record with a 5.09 ERA in 12 starts with the Rangers. As Cafardo indicates, the Rangers don’t seem intent on re-signing him.

Sources: Dempster, #RedSox close.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2012

The Yankees may have emerged as a late contender to sign free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton. USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reports via Twitter that the Yankees are doing their due diligence — more specifically a background check — on the sometimes erratic slugger who requires strict off-the-field supervision to control his addictions.

The #Yankees, but not GM Brian Cashman, quietly running background check on Josh Hamilton, rival GM says—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 07, 2012

Nightengale’s source, reportedly a rival general manager, doesn’t give a reason as to why Yankees GM Brian Cashman is not involved in the Hamilton homework.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Cashman had been stripped of his power to make offers to free agents.

On Thursday, people within the Yankees organization confirmed that this was in fact true: Cashman arrived in Nashville unable to make offers to players, and without that power, targets like Jeff Keppinger and Eric Chavez took deals elsewhere.

The Yankees may not be the only American League East team still in on Hamilton. Alex Speier of WEEI reports Red Sox assistant GM Mike Hazen said that the team is continuing to talk to Hamilton.

The Rangers and Mariners have widely been considered to be the front-runners to land Hamilton. The Mariners reportedly have offered Hamilton three years at $20-$25 million. The Rangers would love a scenario that allows them to re-sign Hamilton, while also signing pitcher Zack Greinke and acquiring Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton.

In need of outfield help, the Red Sox emerged as frontrunners for free agent outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday after offering him a three-year, $38-million deal, according to The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo.

The two sides have agreed to a three-year contract, reports WEEI’s Alex Speier.

Sox have agreed with Victorino on 3yr deal—
Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 04, 2012

Victorino has played all three outfield positions during his nine-year career, and fits with Boston in right field alongside Jacoby Ellsbury and the recently signed Johnny Gomes.

The Indians, Cubs, Yankees and Phillies also showed interest in Victorino, according to reports.

The 32-year-old batted .255 with 11 home runs and 39 stolen bases for the Phillies and Dodgers last season. He made two All-Star teams and won three Gold Gloves and a World Series during seven-plus seasons in Philadelphia, before being traded at the 2012 non-waiver deadline.

Boston also considered Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, according to reports on Monday, when the team agreed to sign Mike Napoli to a three-year deal.

Today’s signing of catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli may not be the only move the Red Sox make on the first day of the Winter Meetings.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports free-agent outfield/first baseman Nick Swisher is a possibility for the Red Sox.

ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reports the Red Sox are still interested in Swisher, as well as Cody Ross and Shane Victorino.

Signing Napoli would take the Red Sox out of Adam LaRoche bidding. But Cody Ross, Nick Swisher & Shane Victorino still on their radar screen—
Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 03, 2012

Swisher, 32, hit .272/.364/.473 with 24 homers and 93 RBI for the Yankees last season.

Victorino is coming off a down year, hitting just .255/.321/.383 in 666 plate appearances with the Phillies and Dodgers.

Ross reportedly is asking for a three-year, $25 million deal after hitting 22 home runs for the Red Sox last season.

UPDATE: The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $39 million deal with catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli.

The Red Sox appear to be close to signing free-agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli, according to a report from WEEI and other media sources.

Sox working hard trying to get Napoli.—
Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) December 03, 2012

#RedSox officials are talking about Mike Napoli like he's part of the team.—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 03, 2012

The deal is expected to be for three years.

The addition of Napoli to the Red Sox’s already deep collection of catchers should give fuel to speculation that the team will entertain trade offers for Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway, while keeping recently signed $6.2 million backup catcher David Ross.

As @NickCafardo reporterd, #RedSox also will let Napoli catch some, too. Hard to imagine them not trading a catcher.—
Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 03, 2012

Greg Colbrunn played 13 seasons in the major leagues, winning the World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox hired Yankees minor league manager Greg Colbrunn as their hitting coach on Wednesday, the team announced.

Earlier this month, Colbrunn was listed as one of five candidates for the job to replace Dave Magadan, who became the Rangers’ hitting coach in October after five years with the Sox. Boston also interviewed minor league hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and former major leaguers Rick Schu, Scott Fletcher and Craig Counsell.

Colbrunn played 13 seasons in the majors with seven different teams, including the world champion Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, and finished his career with a .298 average and 98 home runs. He served as a coach for the Charleston RiverDogs, the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate, over the past three years.

Colbrunn takes over a team that finished eighth in the majors in runs scored last year and 11th in OPS. CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller called him a “no-nonsense guy.”

Reports have said that the team plans to hire a second hitting assistant, a position that will likely go to Rodriguez, according to The Boston Globe‘s Pete Abraham.

Mike Napoli, along with Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, are being targeted by the Red Sox. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Red Sox are in contact with catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielders Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, reports CBSsports.com’s Jon Heyman. Seeking a first baseman and two outfielders, the trio is emerging as the team’s top choice.

Napoli is talking with the Mariners and Rangers, but the Red Sox appear to be his favorite. If Napoli goes elsewhere, the Red Sox will likely pursue Adam LaRoche, given the high price of long-shot option Josh Hamilton.

Swisher and Ross are both likely drawing attention from a myriad of teams, including the Giants, Braves, Mariners, Orioles, Phillies and potentially others. The Red Sox have been trying to re-sign Ross since the end of the season.

Would the Marlins trade young slugger Giancarlo Stanton? At least five teams have inquired about the possibility. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

After the Miami Marlins completed a gigantic payroll purge in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last week, at least five teams have inquired about the availability of young star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reports that the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago Cubs “and many more” have all asked about the 23-year-old Stanton’s availability.

From Cafardo’s report:

“Commissioner Bud Selig is watching the Marlins closely after the salary dump in the Blue Jays deal. While Selig did not step in to change or block that trade, he may not look too fondly upon a deal for the Marlins’ biggest draw. Teams would have to give their very best to the Marlins for baseball’s best young slugger. The Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Cubs, and many more are inquiring, according to a major league source.”

In just his third full season, Stanton hit 37 homers last season in 123 games with a .969 OPS. He would likely bring a coup of prospects to Miami if the organization decided to trade him.

Last week, Selig approved the Marlins’ salary-dump trade, which sent All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio to the Blue Jays for seven players. The trade saved the Marlins $146.5 million in payroll. Stanton will be eligible for arbitration following the 2013 season, but he would be under club control until the 2016 season.

Mike Napoli is holding out for a fourth guaranteed year with the Mariners and Red Sox possibly willing to oblige, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com.

Mike Napoli holding out for 4th year from Red Sox…meeting with Mariners who might be willing to give the extra year according to sources—
JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) November 22, 2012

The Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees have been linked to Napoli since hit free agency after hitting .227 with 24 home runs and 56 RBIs in 417 at-bats with the Rangers, who did not extend a qualifying offer.

The Red Sox and outfielder Jonny Gomes agree to a two-year deal. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox and free-agent outfielder Jonny Gomes agreed to a two-year deal worth $10 million, pending a physical, reports USA Today.

Gomes, who turns 32 on Thursday, batted .262 with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and an .868 OPS in 333 plate appearances with the Oakland Athletics last season. Gomes earned $1 million last season.

Gomez has played for Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals in his eight seasons in the majors.

Gomes gives the Red Sox some extra pop from the right hand side of the plate. Gomes’ previous 25 home runs have been hit to either left or left-center field, according to ESPN.

It's official: Jonny Gomes signs 2 year $10 million contract w #RedSox—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 22, 2012

The Boston Red Sox are close to agreeing on a two-year contract with free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports.

Gomes batted .247 with 18 home runs as a part-time corner outfielder and designated hitter for the Oakland Athletics last season. He slugged 11 homers and posted a .974 OPS against lefties, 17th highest in MLB.

Can confirm through industry source that #RedSox are closing in on 2-year deal with OF Jonny Gomes. @Sean_McAdam was first to report—
Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) November 21, 2012

Gomes, who turns 32 on Thursday, boasts a career .874 OPS against lefties over 10 Major League seasons. He previously played for the Rays, Reds and Nationals.

The Red Sox had honed their search for outfield help on Gomes and Cody Ross in recent days, reports CSNNE.com’s Sean McAdam. Both are viewed as left fielders, meaning the club could still be in the hunt for a right fielder to play beside center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

Worth noting: #RedSox looking for more than one OF. Adding Gomes wouldn't preclude them from signing others. Also, Gomes' role unclear—
Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) November 21, 2012

Lance Berkman said he would have to be “blown away” by an offer to return. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Free-agent first baseman Lance Berkman said Monday that four teams — the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros — have all contacted him to express interest in signing him.

Berkman has not yet decided whether he will return for the 2013 season, after he missed all but 32 games in 2012 because of an injury that required knee surgery. He played the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Berkman, who is volunteering as an assistant coach at Rice University, said he would need to be “blown away” by an offer to come back.

“If I’m going to hit third for a major-league team, then obviously there’s a compensation level that accompanies that,”  Berkman said, according to The Houston Chronicle. “It’s just a matter whether the Astros would be willing to pay that or not. If they are not, no hard feelings. I just feel like if you are going to do a job you deserve to be paid somewhere in the ballpark where the job description entails.”

Berkman excelled in his last full season with the Cardinals in 2011, batting .301 with a .959 OPS while being a key contributor to St. Louis’ World Series-winning squad.

Will Josh Hamilton be part of the Red Sox’s bid to add more payroll? (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Thursday that the team’s payroll will be “very large” and among the league’s highest at the end of the offseason.

“It’s harder to predict this offseason than it has been in previous offseasons because in previous offseasons we’ve been closer to that, closer to where we’ll end up,” Cherington said in an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI, according to ESPN. “Especially last offseason, when we were making more cosmetic changes.

“I know that we’ll have a very strong payroll, a large payroll. I know that we’re going to add to it this winter. I’m confident in saying that we’ll be amongst the larger payrolls in the game. Exactly where it ends up, exactly what rank we are, I don’t know that yet. I think it just depends on what we do. We’re not going to shoot for an arbitrary payroll number just to say that we’re going to get to this. We just have to look at each opportunity as it comes and figure out whether it’s the right thing for the Red Sox.”

The Red Sox come into the offseason with only about $45 million committed to their roster. That’s because they shipped Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the season, freeing up nearly $250 million in future salary.

Cherington would not say if he planned to make any “big splashes,” but he did say he’s been in touch with “just about every agent of any prominent free agent.”

The Red Sox are reportedly interested in entering the bidding for free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton. And they also reportedly plan to target free agents Michael Bourn, Mike Napoli and Stephen Drew.

Josh Hamilton is likely to be a hot commodity on the free-agent market this winter. The Red Sox are the latest team to enter speculations of interest in the All-Star outfielder. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

A number of teams are speculated to be after free agent Josh Hamilton, and the Red Sox are the latest to enter discussions, according to a report from CBS Sports:

“Boston wants to do something big and it wouldn’t shock me if they became players for Josh Hamilton,” one competing GM said.

Boston needs two outfielders, and it was originally thought they would go after multiple medium-priced players rather than one superstar. But with Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett gone, the team has a lot of money. Other free agents they are reportedly interested in include Michael Bourn, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and their own Cody Ross.

Owner John Henry said, “We have a lot of flexibility,” and when asked about his intentions for the winter, Henry simply replied, “Improve the team.”

The Braves, Mariners, Brewers and Orioles are also seen as suitors for Hamilton.

Hamilton hit .285 with 43 home runs and 128 RBIs last season with the Rangers.

Both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have expressed interest in free-agent catcher Mike Napoli, according to separate reports. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported via Twitter on Monday that the Yankees were intrigued by adding Napoli.

Mike Napoli, the Texas #Rangers free-agent catcher, is drawing interest from the New York #Yankees

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 12, 2012

Earlier on Monday, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the Red Sox had also begun “extensive background work” on potentially adding Napoli as a catcher, first baseman or some combination thereof.

The 31-year-old Napoli is known for his prowess in the batter’s box more than his defense behind the plate. In 2011, his breakout season, he hit .320 with 30 homers and a 1.045 OPS. Last year, he hit only .227, but he had 24 homers and an .816 OPS. He and A.J. Pierzynski are the most desirable catchers on the free-agent market this winter.

The Yankees have an open slot at catcher, with Russell Martin also on the free-agent market. He is reportedly drawing interest from at least five other clubs, though the Yankees would like to bring him back.

The Red Sox are reportedly considering Tino Martinez for their hitting coach; the team’s GM Ben Cherington says it may be a two-person job. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

Former Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez may be the next Red Sox hitting coach, according to ESPNBoston. According to the report, “an industry source” indicated the team had preliminary talks with Martinez.

Manager John Farrell said on Wednesday that he would begin interviewing candidates this weekend and aimed to hire a new hitting coach by the end of next week. The team is also considering a two-man staff for the job:

“Depending who the people are, we see some benefit to two people,” said the team’s general manager, Ben Cherington. “It’s a big job and trying to give appropriate attention to all 13 position players on the team, so it is something we’re considering.”

Martinez played in the major leagues for 16 years and spent the majority of his career with the Yankees and Mariners. He hit .271 and had 339 home runs and 1,271 RBIs during his career.

Bobby Valentine and David Ortiz continue their war of words even though Valentine was fired by the Red Sox last month. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz didn’t appreciate his former manager Bobby Valentine saying last month that he quit on the team after he went on the disabled list in late August.

On Monday, Ortiz shot back at Valentine saying he was advised to stop playing because of an Achilles injury.

“After he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things,” Ortiz told ESPNDeportes.com. “I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone.”

Ortiz ended up batting .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 90 games last season and recently agreed to a two-year deal worth at least $26 million, with incentives that could push the amount to $30 million.

Cody Ross reportedly will enter free agency after the midnight deadline. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

An industry source told WEEI that the Red Sox and Cody Ross will not reach an agreement before the midnight deadline, allowing the free-agent outfielder to sign with any team.

Ross batted .267 with 22 home runs, .326 OBP, .481 slugging mark and .807 OPS in 130 games in 2012.

While the Sox have expressed interest in retaining a player who proved comfortable in Boston and features a made-for-Fenway swing, GM Ben Cherington also hinted on Thursday (in an interview with WEEI’s Red Sox Hot Stove Show) that it seemed likely that Ross would explore the market.

“He’s in a better position this year than he was last year. That’s good for him. It creates a bigger challenge for us in trying to find a deal that works for him and works for us,” Cherington said. “We have talked, and talked a lot. Time will tell. … He’ll have options. We’ll have to weigh what it would take to sign him versus alternatives in the market.”

Multiple sources are reporting that the Red Sox and David Ortiz have agreed to a two-year contract worth $26 million plus incentives that could reach $30 million.

Source confirms: Sox/Ortiz finalize 2 yr deal worth $26 million with incentives taking it to $30 million. @Sean_McAdam first to report.—
Joe McDonald (@ESPNJoeyMac) November 02, 2012

Ortiz deal now in language stage according to major league source.—
Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) November 02, 2012

The Red Sox and Ortiz’s representative, Fernando Cuza, have been talking about a two-year deal since the season ended and, according to a source, have gotten closer to deal in the last two days. Ortiz got a boost in his negotiating leverage when it was reported Thursday night that the Texas Rangers view Ortiz as a free-agent target.

Texas views Ortiz as a potential replacement for its own free agent, outfielder Josh Hamilton, in that Ortiz could give the Rangers power production from the left side should Hamilton sign elsewhere.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday the club will make a qualifying offer to Hamilton in order to recoup a draft pick of compensation if he signs elsewhere.

John Farrell has already brought a number of members of his Blue Jays staff to the Red Sox. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Newly appointed Red Sox manager John Farrell is bringing over another member of his former Toronto Blue Jays staff as the team announced today that Brian Butterfield will come the new third base coach for the Sox, according to Aaron Gleeman of NBCSports.com.

Butterfield had spent the last decade with the Blue Jays, having worked under four different managers of the team and had spent the last three seasons as the third base coach for the team. He is the second member of the Blue Jays staff to join the Red Sox since Farrell left Toronto for Boston to become manager earlier in October; Torey Lovullo has since left the Blue Jays to become the bench coach for the Sox, replacing Tim Bogar.

The Sox parted ways with former manager Bobby Valentine immediately following the end of this past season, his first in Boston and one that had been widely regarded as one of the worst in franchise history.

Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and DH David Ortiz back him in happier times. Valentine says Ortiz essentially quit on the team after coming off the DL. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Now that former Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is out of a job, he is wasting no time telling his side of the story about his one year with the team.

Speaking on NBC Sports Network Costas Tonight, Valentine says that many people are to blame for the Red Sox’s horrible season, including designated hitter David Ortiz.

“David Ortiz came back after spending about six weeks on the disabled list and we thought it was only going to be a week. He got two hits the first two times up, drove in a couple runs; we were off to the races. Then he realized that this trade meant that we’re not going to run this race and we’re not even going to finish the race properly and he decided not to play anymore. I think at that time it was all downhill from there.”

Ortiz was dealing with an Achilles’ tendon injury in late August when the Red Sox were only six games below .500. They ended up finishing last in the American League East with a record 69-93.

Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk was arrested on suspicion of DUI. (Gail Oskin/Getty Images)

Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk was arrested on suspicion of DUI last night in Illinois according to TMZ.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ the former Red Sox star allegedly drove his truck into a corn field.

When police arrived, officers say they found Fisk behind the wheel of his F-150 — which had a flat tire — and he appeared to be fast asleep. We’re told cops also found an open vodka bottle in the vehicle.

Fisk was placed under arrest on the scene on suspicion of DUI — and taken to a nearby hospital for a check-up. We’re told he refused a blood alcohol test. His car was impounded.

Fisk was released this morning.

John Farrell is the new manager of the Boston Red Sox (Mitchell Layton, Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox have found the man to rebuild their team after a rough year. The team announced today that it has hired John Farrell, formerly manager of the Tornoto Blue Jays, to be their next manager.

Because Farrell had one year left on his contract with the Blue Jays, the Red Sox compensated Toronto in the form of shortstop Mike Aviles, while right-handed pitcher Dave Carpenter will go from Toronto to Boston in the deal.

Farrell previously served as the Red Sox pitching coach from 2007-2010, after which he left to lead the Blue Jays. Farrell went 154-170 in two seasons in Toronto, both of which resulted in fourth-place finishes in the AL East.

The Red Sox and slugger David Ortiz discussed a new contract this week according to a tweet from Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.

The Red Sox and David Ortiz did engage in contract negotiations this week according to a team source, but no resolution yet.—
Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) October 20, 2012

It’s speculated that Ortiz is asking for a two-year extension totaling between $25 million and $30 million.

Ortiz was one of the Red Sox’s most dependable players during a tumultuous 2012 season that included a blockbuster, payroll-clearing trade of Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto to the Dodgers, and the firing of manager Bobby Valentine after one season. Ortiz hit .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs in 90 games in a season cut short by a right Achilles tendon injury and ultrasound treatment.

Dave Magadan leaves the Red Sox staff to join the Rangers. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Texas Rangers have made a coaching change directed at the team’s late-season hitting slump. The team announced late Friday the hiring of Dave Magadan as hitting instructor. He will replace Scott Coolbaugh, who will be offered another position in the organization.

A source told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News that the Rangers met Magadan earlier in the week. Magadan had an option left on his contract as Red Sox hitting instructor. The Red Sox reportedly wanted Magadan to return in 2013, but allowed their coaches to talk to other teams while they search for a new manager to replace the fired Bobby Valentine.

Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas reports Magadan was the only name on the Rangers’ wish list.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he only called Magadan and that if the 50-year-old hadn’t taken the job, the club would have stayed with Scott Coolbaugh.

The Rangers finished the 2012 season first in the AL in runs (808), fourth in home runs (200), third in on-base percentage (.334) and second in slugging (.446), while hitting one point behind the AL leading Los Angeles Angels with a team average of .273.

After opening the season with timely, productive hitting, the Rangers slumped in the summer, especially with runners in scoring position. Consistent producers from the team’s back-to-back AL pennant-winning lineups, including lead-off hitter Ian Kinsler, veteran Michael Young, catcher Mike Napoli and even slugger Josh Hamilton, slumped badly in the season’s second half.

In the final two weeks of the regular season, the Rangers hit just .251 as a team and averaged 3.8 runs.

“It’s not what happened the last two weeks,” Daniels said. “Obviously, when you make a change the headlines come out the next day and it’s easy to say we’re putting this on one person’s feet. But that’s not true. The fact that we didn’t get it done was on everybody. We’re not panicking. We’re looking for ways to improve.”

The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have moved past “preliminary” stages of discussing compensation for manager John Farrell, The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported on Twitter Thursday night.

Major League source: Sox-Jaysbeyond “preliminary” stage of compensation talks in a deal for Toronto manager John Farrell.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) October 18, 2012

Farrell is considered the Red Sox’s top target to replace Bobby Valentine as manager. Farrell spent five years as the Red Sox’s pitching coach before moving on to Toronto, where he has compiled a 154-170 record in two seasons at the helm.

The Red Sox have already met with Yankees bench coach Tony Pena, Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach and Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus. Orioles third base coach DeMarlo Hale is expected to interview this week.

Valentine was fired Oct. 4, one day after Boston ended the season with a 69-93 record. The 93 losses were the most for the team since 1965.

The Boston Red Sox are set to interview former major-league catcher Brad Ausmus and Baltimore Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale for their open managerial position this week, The Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman reported Monday.

#RedSox will interview DeMarlo Hale on Thursday. Looks like Brad Ausmus on Wednesday.

— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) October 15, 2012

The Red Sox are filling the open position left by Bobby Valentine, who presided over a disastrous season that saw the franchise lose the most games since 1965.

Ausmus and Hale are two candidates that differ in previous managerial and coaching experience. Ausmus is only two years removed from playing in the major leagues and is currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres. He played 18 seasons as a catcher in the majors. He will, however, manage Israel’s team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Hale, meanwhile, started his managerial career in the Red Sox’s farm system in 1993. He also worked as the Red Sox’s third-base and bench coach from 2006-11. He joined the Orioles after the Red Sox fired Terry Francona last offseason.

The Red Sox interviewed Yankees bench coach Tony Pena on Monday.

The Boston Red Sox are negotiating an extension for Cody Ross. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Red Sox and potential free-agent outfielder Cody Ross are moving closer to a new contract, according to a source in a report by Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, contract talks between the Red Sox and outfielder Cody Ross have gained “some momentum.”

Ross, who hit .267 with 22 home runs and played all three outfield positions in 2012, had preliminary in-season discussions toward a new contract. The team did not formally offer an extension to his one-year, $3 million contract that ends five days after the World Series ends.

The former Marlin was considered to be one of baseball’s best bargains of 2012 and one of the Red Sox’s most reliable performers in a tumultuous season.

The Boston Red Sox are starting to line up candidates to fill the recently-vacated manager role left by Bobby Valentine, who was let go in early October, a day after the team wrapped up a season that general manager Ben Cherrington called one of the worst in franchise history.

The team is reportedly scheduled to meet with Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach this week. Now, according to a tweet Thursday morning from national baseball writer Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, the Sox will interview three-time gold glove catcher Brad Ausmus for the manager job.

According to a report from The Boston Globe, Ausmus would definitely be interested in the job if he were given the opportunity.

“That’s one job that would get me off my couch early.”

In September, Ausmus withdrew his candidacy from the Houston Astros’ manager search, despite playing 10 seasons for the team. He is currently a special assistant to the general manager of the San Diego Padres.

Although he doesn’t have experience managing a major league baseball team, Ausmus did manage Team Israel this year as it looked to qualify for the World Baseball Classic. He’s a native of the New England area; he grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Dartmouth and owns a home on Cape Cod.

Brad Ausmus interviewing with Red Sox for manager job early next week according to major league source.—
Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) October 11, 2012

Tim Wallach will interview to become the next manager of the Red Sox. (Joe Murphy, Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox are returning to Los Angeles for their second managerial search in as many years.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Red Sox have approached Dodgers Third Base Coach Tim Wallach about the top position at Fenway Park, a position that Wallach was in the running for last off-season as well. However, in 2011 Wallach’s contract with the Dodgers prevented him from talking to certain teams about open positions, and the Red Sox ended up hiring Bobby Valentine.

Valentine was fired last week after a season of failure on and off the Diamond, and the Red Sox have scheduled an interview with the now-out of contract Wallach.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell tops most of the speculated Boston Red Sox managerial wish lists. If the Red Sox do indeed want their former pitching coach to take Bobby Valentine’s place in 2013, will the Jays want something in return?

USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reports via Twitter that the Jays probably won’t block a Farrell-Red Sox reunion.

The #Bluejays are not expected to stand in the way of the #redsox pursuit of John Farrell—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 05, 2012

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports the opposite:

If the Red Sox really want John Farrell to be their next manager, it’s going to cost them.

Even though the Toronto Blue Jays haven’t won in two seasons under Farrell, who has been at the center of some controversy over the past few weeks, a major league source said yesterday that team president Paul Beeston would demand compensation for allowing Farrell out of the final year of his contract, especially to join an AL East rival.

While the source stopped short of saying the Blue Jays would ask for something “significant,” it’s clear they would want “a decent player,” according the source, even if Farrell tells them he would prefer to leave or refuses to discuss a contract extension.

The Red Sox unsuccessfully tried to coax Farrell away from the Jays to replace Terry Francona in 2011, before eventually hiring Valentine. Farrell’s managerial performance in 2012 hasn’t raised his stock outside of Boston after finishing the second season of a three-year contract with mixed results. The Jays needed a season-ending sweep of the Minnesota Twins to finish 73-89 and avoid a 90-loss season.

Farrell also took heat for letting shortstop Yunel Escobar play against the Red Sox with a homophobic slur written in Spanish on his eye black strips last month. The Jays eventually suspended Escobar for three game, but Farrell excused the incident as a cultural difference.

Omar Vizquel, a 24-year veteran who played a utility role for the Jays before retiring last week, openly criticized Farrell’s handling of the team to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun.

“If you make mistakes and nobody says anything about it — they just let it go — we’re going to keep making the same mistakes over and over again,” said Vizquel, who suggested that the coaching staff was being too lenient with a young Blue Jays club this season.

“I tried to do my best, a little helping here and there. But I think the coaching staff have a big responsibility to kind of get in there and tie things up a little, have a bit more communication with their players and try to make this thing happen the right way.”

The Red Sox fired manager Bobby Valentine after the team’s disappointing 2012 season. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Red Sox have fired manager Bobby Valentine, according to a press release issued Thursday afternoon. Executive Vice President and General Manager Ben Cherington will lead the search for a new manager which will begin immediately.

“Our 2012 season was disappointing for many reasons,” said Cherington.  “No single issue is the reason, and no single individual is to blame. We’ve been making personnel changes since August, and we will continue to do so as we build a contending club. With an historic number of injuries, Bobby was dealt a difficult hand. He did the best he could under seriously adverse circumstances, and I am thankful to him.”

Several of the Red Sox executives spoke about the disappointment of the 2012 season during which Boston finished in last place in the East with a 69-93 record. Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino said:

“This year’s won-loss record reflects a season of agony….It begs for changes, some of which have already transpired. More will come.”

And the team’s chairman, Tom Werner, stated:

“This season was by far the worst we have experienced in over ten years here. Ultimately, we are all collectively responsible for the team’s performance. We are going to be working tirelessly to reconstruct the ballclub for 2013.”

The Red Sox will reportedly fire Bobby Valentine this week. (Jared Wickersham/Getty Images)

Though it probably won’t come as a surprise to many, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly ready to part ways with manager Bobby Valentine and the move could immediately after the team wraps up its season on Wednesday in New York against the Yankees, according to a report late Wednesday afternoon from baseball insider Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

The belief is Valentine’s ouster will come either Thursday or Friday, though that isn’t known. Some people believe the Red Sox will give Valentine the courtesy of a meeting, but several people said they don’t believe there’s any chance he would be able to change their minds, assuming he’d want to.

Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington remained mum on the news, saying “no comment” to Heyman by text.

The Sox are wrapping up the season with another disappointing month, going 7-21 while getting outscored 147-83 in September. According to Heyman, the team has gone through more players (56) than it ever has in the history of the franchise, whether it was because of injuries, of which the Sox had many, or simply as way to deal with underperforming players. The team lost to the Yankees in dramatic fashion on Tuesday with a final score of 4-3 in 12 innings.

Valentine has one year remaining on his two-year deal that he signed with the Sox before the season. John Farrell, a former pitching coach with the Sox, is reportedly high on the teams list of potential replacements.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine received minor injuries after falling off his bike while reading a text message. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Adding insult to injury in an already lost season, Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine received minor injuries after slipping and falling in a ditch in New York’s Central Park Reservoir after reading a text message while riding his bike, reports The New York Times.

Valentine was reading a text on his phone from Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox second baseman, and riding his bicycle. When he looked up, he had to swerve to avoid the umbrellas of two French tourists walking in front of him. The bike skidded, and he lost his balance and went careening head over pedals down the side of the hill by the road.

“I shouldn’t have been reading a text while I was riding,” Valentine said. “That’s the wrong thing to do. But at least I was wearing my helmet.  Hey, if he can play with that, I can certainly manage with this,” he said, showing the bandages on his legs.

Boston is in town to play the New York Yankees and with a record of 69-92, they are currently in last place in the American League East with one game left.