Joe Torre resigns as MLB’s executive vice president for baseball operations, a position he has held since last February, to become part of a group interested in purchasing the Dodgers from Frank McCourt. The former L.A. skipper, who managed the team from 2008-2010, is partnering with real estate developer Rick Caruso, who is heading up the ownership bid.

Star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, who is being courted by the Texas Rangers since they won the exclusive right to negotiate with him thanks to a record bid via the posting system last month, makes a high-profile visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to meet with the Rangers’ top brass. The two parties have until January 20th to come to an agreement.

Off-season dealings continue, with reliever Fernando Rodney signing a one-year contract with Tampa Bay, the Pirates adding P Jo-Jo Reyes, and the Orioles purchasing OF Jai Miller from Oakland and sending 1B Brandon Snyder to Texas.

On January 2, 2012 It’s the turn of Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park to host the National Hockey League’s annual Winter Classic. The New York Rangers defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, 3 – 2, as a crowd of 46,967 is present in the Phillies’ home, turned into an outdoor hockey rink for the occasion. Source Baseball Reference January 2