In other signings, the Rangers sign reliever Joakim Soria, coming off Tommy John surgery, and re-sign C Geovany Soto, who will be Napoli’s replacement, while the Rays ink 1B James Loney, who vacated the spot Napoli will now fill in Boston, to a one-year deal.

ByTom

In other signings, the Rangers sign reliever Joakim Soria, coming off Tommy John surgery, and re-sign C Geovany Soto, who will be Napoli’s replacement, while the Rays ink 1B James Loney, who vacated the spot Napoli will now fill in Boston, to a one-year deal.

On the first day of the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox sign C Mike Napoli to a three-year deal worth $39 million With backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia already on the roster, the Sox see Napoli as a first baseman and think his power swing is ideally suited for the cozy fences of Fenway Park, but he will fail his physical examination because of a hip injury and have to settle for a one-year deal worth $5 million..

ByTom

On the first day of the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox sign C Mike Napoli to a three-year deal worth $39 million With backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia already on the roster, the Sox see Napoli as a first baseman and think his power swing is ideally suited for the cozy fences of Fenway Park, but he will fail his physical examination because of a hip injury and have to settle for a one-year deal worth $5 million..

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.