By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Hall of Fame voting results will be announced on Wednesday at 2 p.m. on MLB Network and the BBWAA website.

The Hall of Fame sent out a press release the other day with some facts and figures about the voting. Here some of the more interesting nuggets and a few comments about them:

• A total of 573 ballots were cast by BBWAA voters in 2012, marking the 10th time that more than 500 ballots have been cast. Voting privileges are extended to those BBWAA members with 10 years of experience and in good standing with the BBWAA.

• Voters can select from zero to 10 names on their Hall of Fame ballot. Votes on 75 percent of all ballots cast are necessary for election. This means that if a voter turns in a blank ballot — which at least one voter has — it decreases the odds of others getting in.

• Here's a partial list of players who will soon appear on ballots:

2014: Tom Glavine, Jeff Kent, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, Frank Thomas.

2015: Nomar Garciaparra, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz.

2016: Ken Griffey Jr., Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner.

2017: Vladimir Guerrero, Jorge Posada, Manny Ramirez, Ivan Rodriguez.

2018: Chipper Jones, Omar Vizquel.

If no players are elected this year — and there seems to be at least a fair chance of that — trying to pick just 10 names in the coming years is going to be difficult.

• There are 64 living Hall of Famers. They range in age from 94 (Bobby Doerr) to 44 (Roberto Alomar).

• Counting Negro League players, there are 72 pitchers in the Hall and 67 outfielders. There are only 16 catchers and third basemen and one DH (Paul Molitor).

• 44 players were elected in their first year of eligibility, none since Rickey Henderson in 2009.

• There has never been a player unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame. The closest was Tom Seaver, who received 425 of the 430 votes cast in 1992. Believe it or not, nine voters did not pick Hank Aaron in his first year and 11 passed on Babe Ruth in 1939. Ted Williams didn't get 20 votes.

Why is this? Some BBWAA members don't believe in voting for somebody in their first year of eligibility. It would be interesting to hear that explained to somebody like Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., or Mariano Rivera.

• 48 Hall of Famers spent their entire career with one team. That group includes Doerr, Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice.

• If Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio get in this year, they would be the first teammates to spend their entire career with the same franchise to enter the Hall together since Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle in 1974.

Dodgers teammates Don Drysdale and Pee Wee Reese accomplished that in 1984. But Reese was elected that season by the Veterans Committee, not the BBWAA.

• The Class of 2013 already includes umpire Hank O'Day, Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert, and 19th-century player Deacon White. They were elected by the Hall's Pre-Integration Committee in December. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be July 28 in Cooperstown.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch is reporting this morning that former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has found a new job.

It's on the radio. An announcement is expected later today that Valentine has joined the NBC Sports Radio lineup. He will start a daily show in April.

"I think in my years here on earth, I have let people know I have an opinion about pretty much everything," Valentine told Deitsch. "I think I will remain true to that."

Valentine has held a number of media jobs in his career, the last with ESPN before his difficult one season with the Sox.

"I don't know that you have to be negatively biased to inform people of what is going on, or to keep them listening," Valentine said. "I think you have to be true. If I have a fault, it's that I tell the truth. You can't dictate to the customer what they want and I think a good host feels his audience and understands what they want and need and tries to provide it."

Valentine often made news over the radio airwaves in Boston last year. A contentious interview with WEEI led to Valentine threatening to punch Glenn Ordway in the mouth. Valentine later said he was joking.

Valentine has generally stayed out of the spotlight since being fired by the Red Sox, with the exception of an interview he did with NBC Sports in October.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox scrapped their annual rookie development program last year, in large part because of all the turnover going on within the organization following the departures of Theo Epstein and Terry Francona.

But it returned this year and will take place this week in Boston.

The idea if to bring the organization's top prospects to town to get better acclimated to the city, the organization and Fenway Park. In addition to getting some workouts in, the players will take part in seminars and hear presentations from a variety of people. Previous speakers have included Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

This was something the Cleveland Indians started years ago and other teams have copied. The players involved are either major league ready or close to it. There are 11 players participating this year:

Pitchers: Drake Britton, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Stephen Wright.

Infielders: Xander Bogaerts, Brock Holt

Outfielders: Jackie Bradley Jr., Bryce Brentz, Alex Hassan

Catchers: Dan Butler, Christian Vazquez

What's interesting about this group in particular is that four of the players — De La Rosa, Webster, Wright and Holt — were acquired by trade within the last six months.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Spring training starts on Feb. 12 for the Red Sox, a mere 39 days from today. The Sox appear to have most of their roster in place, but here is a primer on what needs to get done and what could be done:

Finish the Mike Napoli deal: The first baseman agreed to terms on a three-year deal a month ago but has not been officially signed because of an issue with his physical that will apparently require an adjustment in the original terms.

Both sides have kept quiet about the process. But a major league source today reiterated that something should get done. If not, the Sox need a first baseman because Mauro Gomez isn't going to cut it.

Sign 'em up: The Red Sox have nine arbitration-eligible players (Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Craig Breslow, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller, Jarrod Saltalamacchia) who were offered contracts. These players are signed for 2013, it's just a matter of agreeing to terms.

In most of the cases, it's a standard outcome. The player gets a one-year deal at a rate determined by his accomplishments and comparisons to other players. There's not an exact formula, but it's pretty close.

If no deal is reached, the sides would go to an arbitration hearing in February. That seems pretty unlikely with any of these players. The sides exchange figures on Jan. 18 and deals usually are made around that time.

They key thing to remember is that these are signed players. It's just a matter of figuring out the terms.

Find some bargains: Would you sign Carl Pavano, Shaun Marcum or Jair Jurrjens to compete for a spot in the rotation? How about Alex Gonzalez as a backup shortstop? There are still some free agents out there who could potentially help the team.

The Sox aren't likely to drop the dollars on Kyle Lohse, Michael Bourn or Adam LaRoche (or give up a draft pick), but they could find a bargain in the coming weeks. Cody Ross signed on Jan. 26 last season. That worked out pretty well.

Round up the usual suspects: We're getting close to the time of the year when veteran players look for places to land. The Red Sox, for instance, will be scouting RHP Javy Vazquez in Puerto Rico tonight along with other teams. Vazquez did not play last season but has looked good this winter.

The Sox usually bring 60 players to spring training — the 40-man roster, some high-end prospects and assorted vagabonds. Vazquez may have done enough this winter to merit a major league deal. But there are always players out there just looking for a chance in the form of a minor league contract. The Sox will probably throw out a few life preservers.

Make a trade: The Red Sox could go to camp as presently assembled and figure it out. But they could deal from some areas of strength to improve the major league roster or their prospect inventory.

Players like Aceves, Morales, Saltalamacchia, Gomez, Jose Iglesias, Ryan Lavarnway, Clayton Mortensen, and Alex Wilson aren't spare parts. But they are fungible players to a degree. Could Salty, Iglesias and Morales bring back a solid player? You can be sure Ben Cherington is asking around.

The Sox don't need to make a trade. But they certainly have the pieces to.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox have signed infielder Jonathan Diaz and 1B/OF Mark Hamilton to minor league contracts. They were invited to spring training.

Diaz, 27, was a 2006 draft pick by Toronto. He has split each of the last four seasons between Double A and Triple A. Diaz hit .221/.339 /.284 last season. He is a shortstop and second baseman.

Hamilton, 28, was St. Louis’ second-round pick in the 2006 draft and has played in 47 major league games from 2010-11, hitting .197/.258/.246 in 66 plate appearances. He is a career .277/.364/.468 hitter in the minors, .291/.385/.494 line over 277 games in Triple A.

A lefthanded hitter with some power who can play first base and the outfield is certainly a player who could come in handy for the Sox.

These are players who, most likely, will start the season with Pawtucket.

Have a question? Submit your question here to be considered for the next edition of Ask Nick.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

Terry from Seattle and others are wondering that if Giancarlo Stanton is truly available, what would it take to obtain him from the Miami Marlins?

Think Josh Beckett/Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez/Anibal Sanchez-and-other-prospects in reverse. The Marlins need to get more than usual for the face of their team. As I reported in last Sunday’s Baseball Notes, the Marlins are listening to offers, but aren’t necessarily looking to deal Stanton. If a team just blows them away, of course they'd do it.

We know all of the names the Marlins would want. Start with Xander Bogaerts, go to Jackie Bradley Jr. and mix in Matt Barnes and others and you may have yourself a deal. While I would seriously think about this, you have to consider the possible superstars you’re giving up. If Bogaerts and Bradley are the real thing you’re talking about two potential All-Stars at shortstop and centerfield.

With Jacoby Ellsbury in his walk year is it realistic for the Red Sox to give away the guys they’ve protected like their own children? Or is Stanton simply too good to pass up?

I’m sure the Marlins have been hearing some interesting proposals the last couple of weeks. This is one to watch this winter before spring training.

To the mailbag ...

If the Mike Napoli deal falls through why not sign Casey Kotchman and platoon him with Mauro Gomez, the International League Most Valuable Player. Why not give him a shot?
-- Steve, Foster, Rhode Island

Hmm. Not sure that’s the production you want at first base. Gomez has power, but he's 28 and unproven over a full season. Kotchman gives you a good glove and singles. Think they can do better.

The Indians recently claimed Russ Canzler on waivers from the Blue Jays. Canzler is a first baseman and left fielder who had a .697 OPS in 97 plate appearances last year. Granted, Canzler is a mediocre player, but he seems like a good utility bench-warmer. Could the Red Sox look at a similar transaction for the remaining open spots in their bench?
-- Alex, Cambridge

I think they want a lefthanded hitting first baseman/outfielder to platoon. That’s why they’re looking at Bobby Abreu and that’s why Lance Berkman would be such a good fit if he wants to play again.

The Sox need a lefty bat for the bench and a backup 1B. What are the chances they work Nava out at 1B in Fort Myers to try to fill those needs in-house? He had a .801 OPS vs. righthanded pitching last year and you know he'd work his tail off learning the position. The other thought I had there was Lance Berkman A backup role might not tempt him but maybe a backup role behind an injury-prone starter would. Nava? Berkman? Someone else besides Abreu (there's a guy in retirement denial)?
-- Max, Sparks, Nevada

Not a bad idea on Nava. I think he could handle first and he’s also one of their best outfielders.

Do you think the Sox are done for offseason moves? Could they move Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Andrew Bailey? What else can they possibly do?
-- John, Cranston, Rhode Island

I don’t think they’re done. There are too many catchers and too many closers. There still could be a deal. Sometimes when you try to shift a closer to setup like the Red Sox are about to do with Bailey it doesn’t work so well. If you really believe in Ryan Lavarnway as a catcher, I don’t see the point of sending him back to Pawtucket. They want him to work with Gary Tuck and they feel David Ross can be a mentor. They have to worry about giving up Salty’s lefthanded power and he’s such a great guy to have on a team. Tricky sledding there.

This is the third time I have asked: Where is Dice-K and what is his position.
-- Bob, Lakeland, Florida

Sorry, have no idea where Dice-K is. Trying to find a job whether it’s in the majors or in Japan. He’d prefer to stay in the majors.

I have read many reasons for why the Red Sox seem to be reluctant to sign any long-term deals, and among the most recurrent ones is that they are trying to prevent a logjam once prospects like Bogaerts and Bradley Jr. become major-league-ready. Is it safe to rely so heavily on our prospects to take over, without guaranteeing the presence of any veteran clubhouse leaders (that can still play effectively) as a safety net? What is the likelihood that these much lauded prospects end up being a bust?
-- Alex, Cambridge

Certainly they believe Bogaerts and Bradley will be ready before the three years are up on guys like Napoli (if signed) and Shane Victorino. With Dustin Pedroia there and David Ortiz, there’s plenty of veteran presence. I wouldn’t worry about that part. How Bogaerts and Bradley will perform when they get to the majors is anyone’s guess. I’m sure there will be an adaptation to the majors that young players go through. It’ll be interesting to see how Will Middlebrooks looks in his first full season in the majors.

How do you see the Red Sox' starting rotation shaking out from 1 through 5? And do you see any help from the farm system in 2013 regarding the starting rotation?
-- Tim, Indiana

Jury is out for me. So much depends on whether Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz pitch like co-No. 1 starters. If they do, they’ll be fine. I also want to see Felix Doubront take that next step and be that 200-inning guy. This will be the year where he needs to get over the hump. I have no idea what to expect from John Lackey and we’ll see what Ryan Dempster brings and whether he can conquer tough American League lineups. As for the farm, the one guy to watch right awayis knuckleballer Steven Wright. Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, acquired in the Dodgers deal, could also be factors.

What would be the odds for a trade for either Ike Davis, Eric Hosmer or Logan Morrison? One of them would make more sense than signing Napoli/Abreu or Adam LaRoche. Believe the Sox also need another starter such as Gavin Floyd as Plan B to Lackey?
-- Jose, Calexico, California

I’m sure they’re looking into those options and others, but I just get the feeling the longer this goes the more Napili has to agree to whatever Boston wants him to agree on. I was told earlier this offseason that the Mets would probably not move Ike Davis. That may have changed, I don’t know. I think KC likes its positional players and team so I’m not sure you can get Hosmer now. Floyd is probably available.

Assuming Napoli signs, it looks like the roster is about complete. The bridge is built. Can this team win 94 games and make the playoffs?
-- TDM, Montgomery, New York

I don’t think so, but I’m terrible at predictions. I see about 84 wins, but if everything goes right and Lackey is his Angels self and Lester shows he’s a No. 1 and the offense clicks and the bullpen is lights-out and Jupiter is aligned with Mars, then yeah they could win 94. Baltimore went from 69 wins to 93 in one year. So it can happen.

I am a longtime Red Sox fan on the West Coast with Rhode Island roots. Looking at the Giants success it seems to me that a strong bullpen can make up for an average or above-average starting rotation. Now that the Red Sox have a very strong bullpen they can get by with the starters going only 5-plus or 6 innings on most occasions. What if the Red Sox put a package together of Andrew Bailey, Jackie Bradley Jr., Ryan Kalish and Ryan Lavarnway for Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins. I think he is the last piece that the Red Sox need and he would be a perfect fit in Fenway.
-- Bill, Turlock, California

But the Giants also have strong starting pitching. Very strong. That’s what makes them so good. Red Sox have to prove they have a strong rotation. They didn’t last season.

Is Jacoby Ellsbury tough enough to play a full season of baseball? A big problem for the Sox is conditioning/health. How can management improve this?
-- Dana, Los Angeles

He’s tough enough, but he’s just had problems doing it. It’s a real issue for him. Even as he goes out into free agency, people will question durability if they’re committing big dollars. I think that’s been an issue this offseason on the trade market for him. Conditioning isn’t the issue. These guys are well conditioned. One of the problems had been getting them back on the field quicker. I thought they had a terrific medical director in Dr. Thomas Gill, who does a great job with the Patriots. Don’t understand why they made that move.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Every time the Red Sox obtain a new player, people e-mail to ask what number he is getting.

It's part of what makes baseball so much fun. You can walk up to any good Red Sox fan and say "No. 8" and get "Carl Yastrzemski" as a response right away.

Anyway, according to the Red Sox website, here are the new numbers for some young players who had football numbers last year:

Jose Iglesias: 10 (was 58)
Will Middlebrooks: 16 (was 64)
Ryan Lavarnway 20 (was 60)
Pedro Ciriaco: 23 (was 77)
Daniel Nava: 29 (was 66)
Felix Doubront 35 (was 61)
Junichi Tazawa: 36 (was 63)

As for the new veteran players:

David Ross: 3 (formerly Mike Aviles)
Jonny Gomes: 5 (formerly Nick Punto)
Stephen Drew: 7 (formerly Cody Ross)
Shane Victorino: 18 (formerly Daisuke Matsuzaka)
Koji Uehara: 19 (formerly Josh Beckett)
Brock Holt: 26 (formerly Scott Podsednik)
Ryan Dempster: 46 (formerly Franklin Morales, now 56)
Joel Hanrahan: 52

Dempster has worn 46 for much of his career. Bet there's a story behind that. Hanrahan had 52 with the Pirates.

(No, 26 is not retired by the Red Sox. That seems like a crime.)

New manager John Farrell has 53. Here are his coaches:

Brian Butterfield: 13
Torey Lovullo: 22
Greg Colbrunn: 28
Arnie Beyeler: 43
Juan Nieves: 47
Gary Tuck: 57
Victor Rodriguez: 58

Colbrunn had 28 for much of the time he played in the majors. Adrian Gonzalez had it last year. Lovullo never had 22 in the majors.

If you are interested in Red Sox numbers, they are all at RedSoxDiehard.com. You'll thank me tomorrow when you kill time at work looking at the lists.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Happy New Year, loyal readers of Extra Bases. Here is wishing you health, happiness, and a baseball team that is at least tolerable to watch.

To that end, here are some fearless (and probably stupid) predictions for 2013:

• The Sox won't make the playoffs; there's too much ground to make up and the rotation remains suspect. But they will have a winning record and be in contention for a playoff berth in September.

• The sellout streak will end April 10 against the Orioles, the second home game of the season. Outside of 4 Yawkey Way, nobody will be all that upset about it.

• Will Middlebrooks will hit 25 home runs, drive in 90 runs, and strike out 125 times, entertaining everybody along the way. He's on the verge of big things in Boston.

• David Ortiz will start slow then come on, getting to 25 homers before the season is over with an OPS of .850 or so.

• The easy prediction is that Jacoby Ellsbury will have a big year and depart as a free agent. But here's a guess that he just has a so-so year and ends up staying in Boston when the other options aren't as glittery as he hoped. The outlier for Ellsbury was 2011. You can't expect that again.

• John Farrell will make an example of somebody in spring training by releasing them or demoting them. The Red Sox have to stop coddling players who haven't won a playoff game since 2008 and Farrell has the gravitas to do that.

• Rubby De La Rosa makes 20 starts in the majors and wins 12 games.

• Felix Doubront will not make 20 starts or win 12 games.

• Fans will come to like John Lackey. Shane Victorino and Jonny Gomes, too. Lackey may not always say the right thing, but he goes about his business professionally and competes when he's on the mound.

• Bobby Valentine will tell a New York-based reporter something about a Red Sox player that he doesn't think is too controversial but ends up making big headlines. Dustin Pedroia, unfettered, will fire back. Yes, that is the easiest prediction ever.

• Another former manager, Terry Francona, will make a few comments in his upcoming book that cause a minor ruckus. That is the second-easiest prediction ever.

"Francona, The Red Sox Years" comes out Jan. 22 by the way.

• Speaking of Pedroia, this is a huge year for him. Is he still a perennial All-Star or a guy who beat up his body too much by playing with reckless abandon? He has had a lot of physical issues the last two seasons. The guess here is that he returns to form.

• Andrew Bailey (if he is still around) will end up with more saves than Joel Hanrahan. Closers are impossible to predict, especially ones who change leagues and are on the verge of free agency.

• Stephen Drew will play 145 games and do just fine, bitterly disappointing all the numbskulls who compared him to J.D. Until he broke his ankle, Stephen Drew went on the DL twice in his career. He's not his brother.

• Assuming he ends up signing, Mike Napoli will be just pretty decent. Now that he doesn't have the Red Sox pitching staff to smack around, his numbers will reflect it.

• Clay Buchholz makes the All-Star team. He has the best pure stuff on the staff, it's just a matter of when he pulls it all together.

• Many, many words will be written in spring training about all the catchers on the roster. Then once the season starts it proves not to be a big deal. Ryan Lavarnway is 25. He'll survive if he has to spent a little more time in Triple A.

• Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and eventually Pedro Martinez will start to wield some influence within the organization, especially Varitek.

• Finally, skeptical Red Sox fans will start to come back into the fold after enduring the big mess that started at the end of the 2011 season. The team will be easier to root for, the players more likable, and the expectations lowered enough to be reasonable for a change.

An enjoyable baseball season shouldn't be too much to ask for.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

According to press reports out of Venezuela, the Red Sox viewed a workout done by Bobby Abreu that included his taking grounders at first base.

A 17-year veteran of the majors and a two-time All-Star, Abreu is a free agent. He turns 39 in March and is coming off a season in which he hit .242 with a .693 OPS for the Angels and Dodgers over 100 games and 257 plate appearances.

The lefthanded hitting outfielder could fill a spot on the bench for the Sox. But he has never played first base professionally. Abreu also is 18 of 87 (.207) with one home run in his career as a pinch hitter. Presumably, if the Red Sox were to sign him it would be to a minor league contract.

The predominantly righthanded Red Sox could use a lefty hitter off the bench, preferably somebody who could play first base and the outfield.

(Thanks to Chris Cotillo, who passed along the news via Twitter. You can find him at @TradeDeadliner.)

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

If the Red Sox are able to come to an agreement with Mike Napoli, they probably won't make any significant financial additions to the 2013 roster before spring training starts on Feb. 12.

They need a lefthanded hitting bench player of some sort, probably a first baseman, and maybe a veteran infielder who can compete for a spot on the roster. But beyond that, their team looks fairly set.

So let's take a look at the financial aspects of how the roster has changed.

SALARY THAT CAME OFF THE BOOKS
Adrian Gonzalez: $21 million (2013 salary)
Carl Crawford: $20 million (2013 salary)
Josh Beckett: $15.75 million (2013 salary)
David Ortiz: $14.575 million (2012 salary)
Kevin Youkilis: $11 million (2012 salary the Red Sox paid)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: $10 million
Cody Ross: $3 million (2012 salary)
Ryan Sweeney: $1.75 million (2012 salary)
Nick Punto: $1.5 million (2013 salary)
Mike Aviles: $1.2 million (2012 salary)
Assorted others (Atchison, Cook, Hill, McDonald, Melancon, Padilla): $5.5 million (2012 salary)

Total off the books: $105.275 million

SALARY ADDED FOR 2013
David Ortiz: $15 million (including signing bonus)
Ryan Dempster: $13.25 million
Mike Napoli: $13 million
Shane Victorino: $13 million
Stephen Drew: $9.5 million
Joel Hanrahan: $6.9 million (estimated given his arbitration status)
Jonny Gomes: $5 million
Koji Uehara: $4.25 million
David Ross: $3.1 million

Total added: $86 million

The difference is roughly $19.275 million. But that money is largely accounted for.

Contract raises due in 2013
Jon Lester: $4 million
Clay Buchholz: $2 million
Dustin Pedroia: $2 million

Total: $8 million

Expected raises for players offered arbitration
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: $1.4 million
Alfredo Aceves: $1.4 million
Franklin Morales: $0.6 million
Craig Breslow: $0.6 million
Andrew Miller: $0.36 million
Jacoby Ellsbury: 0.1 million
Andrew Bailey: $0.1 million
Daniel Bard: 0.1 million

Total: $4.66 million

Total in expected raises: $12.66 million

So, the Red Sox dropped roughly $105.275 and will add roughly $95.66 million. Their payroll will remain pretty much what it was last season, around $176 million. That is just under the $178 million line for paying the competitive balance tax.

You can certainly debate the merits of the players the Red Sox added. But there's no denying that the money saved in the Dodgers trade was spent, as ownership promised it would be.

It remains to be seen how the Sox proceed in 2014, '15 and beyond with the money saved by trading Beckett, Crawford and Gonzalez. But based on their actions this winter, there's no reason to think it won't be plowed back into the roster.

All the roster turnover — along with the new manager and almost entirely new coaching staff — has to be considered a plus. While no one person is at fault for what has transpired since Sept. of 2011, it was evident that the Sox needed a new cast of characters and they have that.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Free agent Mike Napoli agreed to terms with the Red Sox back on Dec. 3, accepting three years and $39 million to be the team's primary first baseman.

Ben Cherington acknowledged a deal was in place that day and happily talked about Napoli's strengths as a player.

Nearly four weeks later, Napoli remains a free agent. His physical caused enough concern for the Red Sox to seek an adjustment in the terms. Napoli is believed to have a pre-existing hip injury.

Manager John Farrell, during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub, said Napoli remains a priority.

“That is still being worked on. As Ben has mentioned, there are no updates in terms of where that situation exists. We’re hopeful he is in a Red Sox uniform, but there are still things to work through,” Farrell said.

"The thing that has not changed is Mike Napoli is a clear-cut target for us. We’re not turning the page on this situation as of today, and that’s not to allude that at some point in the future we’re going to. But our goal, and Ben’s goal, is to get something worked out and a deal in place.”

The Red Sox, as Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported, have stayed in touch with free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche while working on a deal for Napoli.

LaRoche is seeking a three-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals. The team would prefer a two-year agreement for the 33-year-old.

If the Red Sox were to sign LaRoche, they would forfeit a draft pick. Their first-round pick (No. 7 overall) is protected. But the Sox would lose their second-round pick, which will be among the top 50.

The Sox also would lose the money linked to that pick, approximately $1 million. If the player selected signs for less, that money can be used for other players.

Beyond that, LaRoche would almost surely require a three-year deal to come to Boston.

The Sox have so far avoided free agents linked to draft pick compensation. That could change if they become desperate for a first baseman. But a more likely outcome still appears to be working out a deal with Napoli.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Stephen Drew will wear No. 7 for the Red Sox next season, the same number his brother wore from 2007-11.

For some fans, that will bring up memories of J.D. Drew's sometimes-exasperating tenure with the Red Sox.

Signed to a five-year, $70 million deal, J.D. Drew hit a modest .264 for the Sox with 80 home runs. Statistics showed that he was among the most productive right fielders in the American League and an excellent defensive player. But those numbers were overshadowed by Drew missing 204 games over his five years with assorted injuries.

Drew played hard when he was on the field. But his outwardly calm demeanor drew the ire of those fans who prefer players demonstrate their emotions.

During a conference call with reporters earlier today, Stephen Drew made a point to say that while he looks up to his brother, he is not a copy of him.

"You guys know J.D., kind of laid-back. I’m laid-back, but probably hold a little more emotion on my shoulder," Drew said. "At the end of the day, me and J.D., I’m a different person than J.D. and J.D. is different than me. I told people coming into it, J.D. plays right field; I play shortstop. I’ve got a little more pressure playing in the middle of the infield and kind of dealt with that. I’ve always been under my two older brothers. It’s nothing new to me."

All three Drew brothers — J.D, Tim, and Stephen — were first-round picks.

Drew said that like his brothers, he considers himself a role model for kids.

“I don’t really throw my helmet off [or] throw my bat. You don’t see that,” Drew said. “There’s times you get frustrated. But at the end of the day me and J.D. are a little different. I think I share my emotion. I’ve always been geared to play the game. I love to play the game. I respect J.D. I think I look up to him a lot and learned things from him that have always been with me. But at the same time, we’re totally different players.”

Drew signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal. The shortstop suffered a severe ankle fracture in 2011 and started last season on the disabled list. He returned to play in 79 games and hit .223. Arizona traded him to Oakland in late August.

"I came back a little too soon, which I knew, because they wanted me out on the field. I was doing the best I could to come back as fast as possible," he said.

Drew hit .263/.331/.431 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 29 games for Oakland in September, helping the Athletics make the playoffs.

Before his ankle injury, Drew was durable and productive. He played in 674 of a possible 746 games for Arizona from the start of the 2007 season until he was injured. From 2007-10, Drew hit .270 with a .773 OPS.

Now he will try and restart his career in Boston.

"The need for shortstops is so great and then when you add in Stephen’s swing plane and his offensive metrics — where he hits the ball in Fenway — we really felt that was kind of a match made for what strengths Stephen has as a hitter and what the ballpark in Boston provides," agent Scott Boras said.

"We fully expect a very successful season and I think it’s going to give the Red Sox [and] the Red Sox fans a chance to see a player that ... I’m not sure everyone really understands the talent level of Stephen Drew. I think after this year, I think everyone is going to think a lot different about what type of player Stephen is and the impact he can have on a division-contending team.”

Said Drew: "I think I’m a good fit in Boston. It’s going to be fun playing with [Dustin] Pedroia. I’ve played against him, but to actually get to play with a good second baseman is going to be a really good opportunity for me.

"I’m going to come in this year and just hopefully have a great year. The biggest thing is just stay healthy. I think my talent will be OK. Everybody that has talent, you just have to stay healthy. It’s kind of unfortunate with my ankle injury. Hadn’t really never missed any long-term time in the major league except for this injury. I can’t really say where I’m going to be at the end of this year coming up after Boston’s season over. I’m just going to play it by ear and see what happens. I’m just really excited to be there and I know it’s going to be a good fit for me."

Drew's injury, which came on a slide to the plate, was gruesome. His foot bent at an awkward angle, causing him to break his fibula and suffer ligament damage. He had a plate attached to the bone as part of the surgery.

“The ankle is doing well," Drew said. "I’m very pleased with it. I put a lot of hard work into it not knowing where I’d be at this past season. Coming back strong at the end of the season really gave me confidence. The ankle is doing tremendous."

Boras believes the rehab process made Drew an even better defender than he was before.

"Stephen has actually come through this with greater defensive acumen as far as range after the ankle injury than before because of the fact that he has worked so diligently and hard on his conditioning and on his lateral movement in preparing to come back and play," he said.

Here's the video of the injury:

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Mark Melancon had the worst season of his career with the Red Sox in 2012. He pitched poorly, was demoted to the minors, and then used as a mop-up man once he returned.

The Sox traded the righthander to the Pirates Wednesday as part of a package to obtain closer Joel Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt.

“I have no regrets,” Melancon said. “I never do. This game is built on failure and I feel like what I went through will make me a better pitcher. I know it made me a better person.”

Melancon started the season as the primary set-up man and lasted only four games before being banished to Triple A Pawtucket.

Melancon gave up 11 earned runs over two innings in those appearances. He pitched fairly well when he returned to the team in June, particularly in September. But Melancon was used mainly in low-leverage situations and never gained the trust of former manager Bobby Valentine.

Still, the Sox are taking a risk in trading him. Melancon had a 0.90 ERA in eight appearances in September/October, striking out 13 in 10 innings with one walk. He could prove to be a player they regret moving.

“It’s a good opportunity for me,” Melancon said. “I wish it had worked out with the Red Sox because that’s a great organization. But I’ve had a great offseason and I feel I can go out there with the Pirates and prove myself.”

Also:

• Sox assistant GM Brian O'Halloran on Brock Holt, the infielder obtained from the Pirates: “I think he’s going to be a good player for us. He’s a very hard-nosed player. He’s had a lot of success in the minor leagues and we’re excited to have him and the energy that he brings to the table.”

• O’Halloran said Stephen Drew had no issues with his physical.

“Our folks were very pleased with his progress. It was obvious to them how hard he had worked given the nature of that injury,” he said. “We feel that he’s going to be fully healthy for us and make us a better team. We’re excited to have him.”

Sox manager John Farrell said Drew showed no diminished range once he returned to the field.

“The evaluations we did were very positive,” Farrell said.

Drew will wear No. 7, the number his brother, J.D., wore for the Sox from 2007-11. The elder Drew, now retired, hit .264 with 80 home runs in a Red Sox career marked by frequent stints on the disabled list.

• O’Halloran offered no update on the status of Mike Napoli, who agreed to terms on a three-year, $39 million contract with the Red Sox Dec. 3 but has yet to actually sign.

“There are conversations ongoing,” O’Halloran said.

Napoli, major league sources said, has an issue with his hip and the Red Sox are seeking protection in the contract language. That could mean cutting the deal to two seasons with the third year a vesting option based on plate appearances.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

It has become somewhat of a holiday tradition for the Red Sox, trading players viewed as spare parts to a budget-conscious team and getting an All-Star closer in return.

The well-intentioned idea failed miserably last season. Andrew Bailey was injured in spring training and pitched in just 19 games for the Sox while Josh Reddick became a standout for Oakland, belting 32 home runs and winning a Gold Glove.

Undeterred, the Sox are trying the same formula again. Just shy of a year since they traded for Bailey, the Sox completed a six-player trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, obtaining closer Joel Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt for righthanded reliever Mark Melancon and three prospects.

The similarities are remarkable. Bailey was 27 when he was traded and had twice been an All-Star. He had appeared in 157 games for Oakland and recorded 75 saves, His wife had family in Connecticut and he was glad to be coming to the Sox.

Hanrahan is 31 and a two-time All-Star. He has appeared in 238 games for the Pirates and recorded 82 saves. His wife has family in the Brockton area and he is glad to be coming to the Red Sox.

Hanrahan averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings for Pittsburgh, Bailey 9.0 for Oakland. Hanrahan is entering his third year of arbitration eligibility, Bailey his second.

Now they're together. Manager John Farrell made a smart move, contacting both pitchers and letting them know that Hanrahan will close and Bailey will move into a set-up role. Drama is not on the agenda for spring training.

“It was a great conversation, obviously,” Hanrahan said. “[Farrell] told me they’re excited for me, to have me there. They look forward to having me at the end of the bullpen here, closing for them.

“I’m just excited for that opportunity. I wasn’t sure what the role was going to be because there’s obviously guys that have closed before and had great success closing as well.”

Farrell said the Sox weren’t necessarily looking for a closer when the offseason started. But they couldn’t pass on the idea of strengthening their bullpen.

“This makes us a better team,” Farrell said. “Joel will come in and join a strong group. This is an All-Star closer, a pitcher with a high conversion rate for saves.”

Hanrahan looks the part of a closer at 6 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds with a bushy goatee. He has the stuff, too. Hanrahan averaged 95.8 miles per hour with his fastball last season, a slight drop from 2011. He also has what scouts describe as a “wipeout” slider, a pitch that dives out of the strike zone and produces plenty of bad swings.

Hanrahan walked 36 over 59.2 innings last season and allowed eight home runs, which led to a 2.72 ERA. Hanrahan had a poor September, allowing five earned runs over 9 innings and walking 10 as the Pirates fell out of contention.

“I had some issues with my legs last year,” Hanrahan said. “I hurt my hamstring early on in the year and had a sore ankle for a while that went under the wraps. I was wearing a tight ankle brace for a couple of weeks that kind of restricted my mechanics. I don’t think that walks are going to be a concern.”

With general manager Ben Cherington traveling, assistant GM Brian O’Halloran spoke about the deal. The Sox, he said, are convinced Hanrahan’s control issues can be cured.

“We looked at that very closely, we think that there are some reasons that we saw the uptick in walks,” O’Halloran said. “We’re going to talk to Joel and [Farrell] has already started that process. It’s not something that we’re concerned about long term. We believe that we’re going to get the guy that has been a great closer for two years.”

Farrell felt that Hanrahan used his third pitch, a cutter, too often. He also lacked precision in non-save situations — walking 16 in 22 innings.

“There’s more to command when you add a different pitch,” Farrell said. “It’s important for any pitcher to rely on their strengths.”

Bailey allowed 12 earned runs on 21 hits and 8 walks in 15.1 innings last season and blew three saves in nine chances. He did not respond to requests for comment on his new role. But Farrell said Bailey understood why the Sox made the trade.

“He was professional. He’s confident in himself and confident he’ll be able to pitch to the level he did in 2011 and is very much a team guy,” Farrell said. “He feels like he’ll regain that form needed for us to get better and deeper.”

Bailey's biggest issue is staying on the field. Injuries have limited him to 108 games the last three years.

The Red Sox potentially have a strong, versatile bullpen, having added Hanrahan and righthander Koji Uehara to a group that included Bailey, Junichi Tazawa, Alfredo Aceves, Craig Breslow, Franklin Morales, and Andrew Miller. The Sox also hope Daniel Bard can rebound after a disastrous 2012 season.

“We have created depth that will allow us to rest the closer when needed,” Farrell said. “If they pitch up to their capability, it’s strong group.”

The Red Sox took notice of Hanrahan during an interleague series in Pittsburgh in 2011. In two saves against the Sox, Hanrahan threw 25 of his 35 pitches for strikes before sellout crowds.

His four-pitch strikeout of Adrian Gonzalez with a runner on second base to preserve a 6-4 victory on June 25 was a career highlight for Hanrahan.

“When people look back at me as a Pirate, that’s one that stands out the most to them. It was a fun weekend,” he said.

Said O'Halloran: "It definitely made an impression on me. I hadn’t seen very much of him. I’d seen him just a little bit here and there prior to that, and that was pretty impressive. If you go back and look at the video of that, it was not fun to be in the batter’s box against Joel Hanrahan, I’m sure, for our hitters. We’re excited to have him on our side.”

Hanrahan has never pitched in Fenway Park or even visited the ballpark.

“It’s change of pace from the NL Central but I think it’s going to be great,” Hanrahan said.

Hanrahan will be a free agent after the 2013 season. He is eligible for arbitration and in line to land a one-year contract worth roughly $7 million.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

With Ben Cherington traveling, Red Sox assistant general manager Brian O'Halloran spoke to reporters this afternoon about the trade with the Pirates.

He said that manager John Farrell spoke to Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey and told them that Hanrahan would be the closer going into spring training with Bailey as one of the set-up men.

"We see Andrew as playing a very important role in our bullpen as well," O'Halloran said. "There will be plenty of opportunities for him to help us win games in key situations late in the game. We know he's very capable both closing and pitching in other high-leverage situations at the end of games."

Also:

• O'Halloran had no update on the Mike Napoli situation.

• The Red Sox, O'Halloran said, checked out Stephen Drew's right ankle and were satisfied with his health. He suffered a severe fracture during the 2011 season.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox today announced the signing of shortstop Stephen Drew, who last week agreed on a one-year deal worth $9.5 million.

Drew, who turns 30 in March, hit .223 with a .657 OPS in 79 games for Arizona and Oakland last season. He hit .270 with a .773 OPS in the six seasons prior for the Diamondbacks.

Drew suffered a severe fracture of his right ankle on July 20, 2011 while sliding into home during a game against Milwaukee. He did not return until June 27, 2012. Drew hit .193 in 40 games for Arizona before being traded.

Drew ranks fourth among all Major League shortstops over the last five seasons with a .441 slugging percentage and fifth with a .770 OPS (min. 1,500 plate appearances).

He is a .265 career hitter with 181 doubles, 52 triples, 77 home runs, 349 RBI, 414 runs, 293 walks, and 34 stolen bases. The lefthanded hitter has finished with the second-most triples in the National League on three occasions and his 41 triples since 2008 rank sixth in the majors. His 52 career triples are an Arizona franchise record.

In 2008, Drew became the third shortstop in Major League history to collect at least 40 doubles (44), 10 triples (11) and 20 home runs (21) in a season, joining Nomar Garciaparra (Boston, 1997) and Hall of Famer Robin Yount (Milwaukee, 1980 and 1982).

All 792 of his career appearances in the field have come at shortstop. His 72 errors are third-fewest among active shortstops with at least 3,000 total chances.

He is the younger brother of former Red Sox outfielder and 14-year Major League veteran J.D. Drew. The younger Drew will wear No. 7, just as J.D. did with the Red Sox. His older brother Tim also pitched for parts of five seasons in the majors.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox have finished off their trade with the Pirates.

In addition to righthanded reliever Joel Hanrahan, the Red Sox also obtained middle infield prospect Brock Holt from Pittsburgh in return for righthanded reliever Mark Melancon and three minor leaguers: infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr., righthander Stolmy Pimentel and first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands.

De Jesus and Sands were among the five players the Red Sox obtained from the Los Angeles Dodgers in August for Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto.

Hanrahan, 31, will be a free agent after the season. He has 76 saves and a 2.24 earned run average over the last two seasons, striking out 128 over 128.1 innings.

"I'm very excited to be joining the Red Sox and look forward to joining the great history of Boston and making some new history!!!," Hanrahan posted on Twitter shortly after the trade was announced.

Hanrahan had a dominant 2011 season, allowing only 16 walks over 68.2 innings and striking out 61. He had a 1.83 ERA. The big righthander slipped in 2012, walking 36 over 57.2 innings and posting a 2.72 ERA. But he did strikeout 67.

Hanrahan had a poor September, allowing five earned runs over 9 innings and walking 10 as the Pirates fell out of contention. He was offered arbitration by the Pirates and is in line for a one-year, $7 million deal in 2013. The Sox also could attempt to sign him to a longer-term deal.

Holt, 24, is a former ninth-round draft pick out of Rice University. He played 24 major league games for the Pirates in September, hitting .292 in 65 at-bats. Holt hit .322 with Double A Altoona over 102 games and .432 in 24 games for Triple A Indianapolis.

In all, Holt hit .344/.406/.453 in the minors last season. He is a career .317/.381/.427 hitter in four minor league seasons, albeit with only 11 home runs. Holt has 49 stolen bases. He projects as a backup player.

Melancon, who turns 28 in March, had a rocky one-year tenure in Boston. Obtained from Houston for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland last December, Melancon started the season as the primary set-up man and lasted only four games before being demoted to Triple A Pawtucket.

Melancon gave up 11 earned runs over two innings in those appearances. He pitched fairly well when he returned to the team in June, particularly in September. But Melancon was used mainly in low-leverage situations and never gained the trust of former manager Bobby Valentine.

Once the closer in Houston, Melancon could return to that form in the National League.

Pimentel, 22, was once considered a strong prospect but has faded in recent years. He had a 4.59 ERA in 22 starts for Double A Portland last season.

DeJesus, 25, appeared in eight games for the Sox in September then was designated for assignment in November before being outrighted to Pawtucket.

Sands, 25, never played in the Sox organization. He was a player to be named later in the trade and came over on Oct. 4. Sands hit .296 with 26 home runs and 107 RBIs for Triple A Albuquerque last season.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox are not planning any announcements over the next few days given the holiday. Traditionally, teams and MLB give their employees this week off.

But Ben Cherington and his elves have plenty to do:

• Mike Napoli, who agreed to terms on Dec. 3, has yet to finalize his contract. The sides are dickering over those terms because of a pre-existing hip injury. Cherington and agent Brian Grieper have remained largely quiet about this, which suggests they're working toward a resolution.

Giving up now would be tough for both sides. Napoli becomes damaged goods on the market while the Red Sox would be out a first baseman. Adam LaRoche remains unsigned, but that would mean giving up a high draft pick (second round, as their first-round pick is protected) and he is reportedly getting closer to a deal with the Nationals.

Under the new system, draft picks are assigned a value and that money goes into a pot teams can use to sign their picks. Giving up a high second-round pick would cost the Sox that pick plus money that could be used in signing other players later in the draft.

• The Sox have the framework in place to trade for Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan. It could be Jerry Sands and Stolmy Pimentel for Hanrahan or a larger deal that would involve more players.

• The Sox have yet to announce their one-year deal with shortstop Stephen Drew.

• The 40-man roster is at 40. So adding three players would require some moves, even if Sands and Pimentel are traded.

• The Sox have an abundance of catchers and relievers. That doesn't necessarily require a trade. But it certainly opens the door to one.

So for now, Merry Christmas to all Extra Bases readers. Thanks for reading all season, we certainly appreciate it. It has been fun to meet so many of you and talk baseball, too. Opening Day is less than 100 days away.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Here are the names I checked off on the Hall of Fame ballot:

Jeff Bagwell
Craig Biggio
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Mike Piazza
Tim Raines
Curt Schilling
Alan Trammell

A few notes if you are interested in the process:

The voting: There were 37 players on the ballot this season. There is no minimum number of players to pick, but you cannot vote for more than 10. The electorate consists of the 600-plus members of the BBWAA with at least 10 years in the organization.

(In my opinion, too many people who don't actually cover baseball any more get to vote. But that's for another day.)

The board of directors of the Hall of Fame determines those rules. The results will be announced on Jan. 9.

Resources used: The Black Ink and Gray Ink tests developed by Bill James, which are found on Baseball-Reference.com, were useful.

I also relied heavily on the research done by Jay Jaffe. His JAWS formula is a terrific resource in this endeavor. Jay writes for Sports Illustrated. I've known him for probably about 10 years and he cares passionately about baseball and baseball history.

I also looked at career records as kept by Baseball-Reference.com and used their research tools to compare players by way of traditional and sabermetric statistics.

In the end you have make a personal decision about every player. But it's good to have as many facts at your disposal as are available. If they are available, why not use them?

General philosophies: I tried to compare players to others of their generation, other players at their position and players at their position who are already in the Hall.

Some writers believe getting elected on the first ballot is a great honor and they withhold their vote from those players they find undeserving of that honor. I vote for the players who come up best in my tabulations, period. I don't see how a retired player gets any better a year from now. Either you deserve a vote or you do not.

Performance-enhancing drugs: I wrote about this complicated issue a month ago and explained why I've changed my stance. Basically, I believe PED use was part of a particular era of the game and the Hall of Fame should reflect those times. The place is a museum, after all.

Let's be honest, everybody involved in the game ignored the PED issue for a long time. MLB, the MLBPA, owners, GMs, managers, players, media, and fans, we all marveled at all the home runs and didn't ask many questions. To me, it would be hypocritical to have ignored the issue in 2002 and then punish players in 2012.

I'm also uncomfortable with the idea of using suspicion as a reason not to vote for somebody. Excluding players like Bagwell and Piazza because you kinda sorta think they probably did steroids is McCarthyism. Beyond that, no voter can be absolutely sure that a player he believes to be clean was in fact clean.

That said, home runs hit during the Steroids Era have to be devalued to some degree because home runs were cheap to come by.

Now onto the players:

Jeff Bagwell: The pride of the University of Hartford was durable, consistent and productive. This was a player who hit for power, showed great patience, played an excellent first base and even stole 202 bases. His WAR is seventh among first basemen all time. Take away any suspicion and he's an automatic choice.

Craig Biggio: It's hard to argue against 20 seasons, 3,060 hits, 668 doubles, 55 triples, 291 home runs, 1,175 RBIs and 1,844 runs scored for a second baseman. Historically, Biggio is one of the best to ever play his position. That he also caught and played center field at times only adds to his resume. His 3,000th hit came off Aaron Cook. Just guessing, but it was probably a sinker that stayed up.

Barry Bonds: Let's say you deduct 20 percent off his statistics because was a no-good cheating bum. Bonds is still one of the best hitters of all-time. That's how good he was. Bonds is fourth in career OPS behind Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.

Roger Clemens: Before there were pink hats, seats on the wall and Red Sox Nation, there was The Rocket. His turn in the rotation was an event that caused everybody to take notice. Clemens had a 3.06 ERA and 192 wins with the Sox before there was a hint of improper behavior. His perjury acquittal aside, Clemens probably did some things he regrets. But there is no discounting his place in history. Clemens is one of the three or four best starters the game has seen.

Mike Piazza: He is one of the best-hitting catchers ever, if not the best. He also played the bulk of his career in Dodger Stadium and Shea Stadium, two tough parks for hitters. Piazza hit .320/.389/.575 from 1993-2003 while catching. That's insane. Piazza also was a better defensive player than he is generally given credit for. He had a flair for calling games and he blocked balls in the dirt very effectively.

Tim Raines: Simply put, Raines was the second-best leadoff hitter in history behind Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. New metrics showcase his value and by those standards he deserves to be in Cooperstown. Not voting for Raines is not doing your homework.

Curt Schilling: It's popular to say that Schilling should get in because of his stellar postseason numbers. He was 11-2, 2.23 ERA in 19 starts with three rings, after all. But that diminishes his regular season excellence. Schilling's 3,116 strikeouts are 15th all-time, he averaged 2.0 walks per nine innings and he finished second in the Cy Young voting three times. Schilling won "only" 216 games, but he is indisputably one of the best starters of his time. Take away Schilling and the Red Sox might still be searching for their first title since 1918. He should get a spot in the Hall for ending all that insufferable angst.

Alan Trammell: Before Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken, Derek Jeter, and all the other hard-hitting shortstops, there was Trammell. He was one of the best all-around shortstops in history and has been overlooked in the voting.

Notable omissions: Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff. Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Larry Walker, Bernie Williams.

Martinez, along with David Ortiz, ranks as one of the best DHs ever. But DH is a not a position. Were he a third baseman, Edgar would be a borderline case. It's hard to reward a guy for not playing a position. ... McGriff, a first baseman in an era of standout first basemen, didn't make the cut. ... McGwire was very good at hitting home runs and getting on base, two critical skills. But when you compare the duration of his career and the peak of his career to other first baseman, he is not a lock for the Hall regardless of his PED use. ... Morris had a 3.90 ERA and over the course of his career was just a little better than average (based on ERA+). He was more about great moments than consistent excellence. ... Murphy was a terrific player at times but at other times was just another pretty good one. Like Don Mattingly, there is just not enough there. ... Palmeiro and Sosa were 10th and 11th on my list. Palmeiro compiled a lot of impressive statistics. But when compared to other Hall of Fame first basemen, his marks lose a little luster. He was a product of his era. Palmeiro also faces the stigma of having tested positive after MLB's drug testing program was put in place. That doesn't exclude him in my estimation. But it works against him. Sosa had some amazing highs in his career. But he also had a .344 OBP and isn't in the same league as other Hall of Fame right fielders. Sosa had a .777 OPS over the first nine years of his career, too. Given the state of the game at the time, his 609 home runs are no magic number. ... It's easy (and not necessarily accurate) to dismiss Walker as a product of Coors Field. He was more than that, but not quite a Hall of Famer. I'd rank him above Sosa, however. ... Williams was a center fielder and a middle-of-the-order hitter on some excellent Yankees teams. But he didn't do enough to reach Cooperstown.

Please, feel free to post a comment with your thoughts. Hall of Fame discussions are fun to have.

Cody Ross signed a three-year, $26 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal that came together Tuesday when the D-Backs brass got together and decided to target the Scottsdale, Az. resident.

Ross said he never got back to the Red Sox or any of them teams interested once the Diamondbacks put together their offer.

On the Red Sox he said, “I don’t know what happened but we could never agree on terms. They thought I’d come back no matter what because they thought I loved playing there. And I did. Who wouldn’t love playing at Fenway Park? I just wanted a fair deal. I told them what I wanted. I wasn’t trying to break the bank. They weren’t willing to do it.”

Major League sources indicate that the Red Sox were trying to re-sign Ross for two years, but Ross was seeking a three-year deal at between $21-$31 million the figures that comparables Josh Willingham and Michael Cuddyer signed with the Twins and Rockies respectively last offseason.

Ross also said that he probably got along with manager Bobby Valentine better than any other player on the team. He said Valentine texted him to congratulate him on his Diamondbacks deal.

“When Bobby came in his way of doing things was a lot different than what they were used to under Terry Francona and it was a shock to them. They weren’t on board with it. For me, I’d played for four or five managers and for me it was ‘OK, this is the way he does things.’ We never butted heads. I had a good relationship with Bobby,” Ross said.

The D-Backs came out of the blue. General Manager Kevin Towers said he had a meeting with CEO Ken Kendrick who said he had a name of a free-agent he thought could help and he asked Towers if he also had a name. It turned out they both had Ross on their list.

Towers said his phone “blew up” after the signing with teams wanting to inquire about their outfielders like Justin Upton, Jason Kubel and others now that he has an excess. Towers said he doesn’t necessarily have to deal anyone, but Kubel and Upton are in demand.