Alex Rodriguez is a walking identity crisis, as his decision to play for the Dominican in the World Baseball Classic illustrates.

After building a dynasty around three starting aces, the Braves struggled to maintain pitching excellence. If the right offseason acquisitions occur, they will be back in the playoff picture.

Alex Rodriguez plans to play for the Dominican Republic in 2009 World Baseball Classic, David Ortiz said.

Daisuke Matsuzaka helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in his first year and he won 18 games in his second. Now he's pitching in with recruiting. The Red Sox signed their third pitcher from Japan on Thursday, adding right-handed amateur Junichi Tazawa to an organization that already included Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima.

A baseball source confirmed to the Boston Globe free agent right-hander Derek Lowe has received offers from at...

The Boston Red Sox signed Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa to a three-year contract on Thursday.

The Red Sox ended their lengthy and discreet courtship of Junichi Tazawa on Thursday by announcing the signing of the 22-year-old right-hander from Japan.

Junichi Tazawa will formally become a member of the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon during a news conference at Fenway Park. More than a week ago, the 22-year-old right-hander from Japan decided to sign with the Red Sox after also receiving overtures from the Rangers, Braves, Mariners and perhaps some other teams.

As the Winter Meetings approach, seeking another upper-echelon arm this offseason is among the many moves on the club's radar.