--RHP Wes Littleton was picked up by the Red Sox in a trade with the Texas Rangers, a move that's expected to add organizational depth to Boston's bullpen. The Sox acquired Littleton for a pair of players to be named or cash considerations. The 26-year-old is 5-3 with three saves, a 3.69 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings over 80 career relief outings with Texas. He had a 6.00 ERA in 18 innings for the Rangers last season, spending most of the season at Class AAA Oklahoma, where he went 7-1 with a 4.01 ERA and six saves in 44 games. Littleton was 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA in 30 promising games with Texas as a rookie in 2006.

--C Jason Varitek promises to be one of the big stories this offseason, and differing reports indicate that negotiations might already be under way for the Sox captain. WEEI.com reported that the Sox made an initial one-year contract offer to Varitek and agent Scott Boras -- perhaps in response to Boras's demands for a four-year, Jorge Posada-type contract for his catching client. Boston is expected to offer Varitek arbitration by the Dec. 1 deadline and would collect a draft pick if the Type A free agent signs elsewhere.

--RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka said that he plans on pitching in the 2009 World Baseball Classic if he's invited to once again be part of the Japanese entry. Matsuzaka was named the MVP of the inaugural WBC in 2006, and he assured the media that he wants to assist Team Japan in repeating as champions. "I'll accept the offer if I'm asked to play," Matsuzaka said. "I'll pick up the pace of my training in December so that I won't have to scramble at the last minute."

--1B Mark Teixeira continues to be a hot topic among Red Sox fans and media as a potential power-hitting prize in free agency this winter. The 29-year-old switch hitter is considered the best hitter in the free agent market while also boasting Gold Glove-caliber skills at first base, but agent Scott Boras is reportedly seeking a 10-year deal with average annual value north of $20 million per season. The Sox would have to make other moves to bring Teixeira into the Sox fold next season and beyond.

BY THE NUMBERS: $6 million -- The major league offer that the Red Sox reportedly sent out to amateur Japanese RHP Junichi Tazawa.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've been old-school. There's been an understanding for years that the amateur market in Japan has really been off limits. We've not scouted Tazawa because we haven't scouted the amateur market. I couldn't tell you how good he is." -- Yankees GM Brian Cashman, discussing why his team didn't scout or pursue RHP Junichi Tazawa, who is reportedly headed to the Red Sox.