Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox appear to still be in the mix for Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi.
Boston already has a contract offer on the table. The 34-year-old is expected to sign a minor league contract in the near future. He posted a career 3.40 ERA over 245 games in Japan and, despite the fact that he was mostly a starter overseas, will relieve stateside.
Source: WEEI.com Feb. 8 - 2:13 pm et

Sports Nochi by way of the Boston Herald, reports the Red Sox are one of four teams to offer a minor league contract to LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
The 35-year-old in April posted a 3.45 ERA over 245 career games with the Yomiuri Giants and projects as a reliever. He's been hoping for a major-league deal but looks like he will have to settle for a minors pact.
Source: Boston Herald Feb. 6 - 8:28 am et

Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal believes Boof Bonser is the "front-runner" for the final spot in Boston's 2010 bullpen.
Bonser underwent shoulder surgery last February and missed all of the 2009 season, but he's made significant progress. "He looked good in the bullpen in short stints when healthy," said GM Theo Epstein. "He had significant surgery, but he checked out really well during our physical, and we’re excited to see him in the spring." Bonser owns a 5.12 career ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
Source: Providence Journal Feb. 3 - 10:39 am et

Red Sox signed RHP Joe Nelson to a minor league contract.
Nelson posted a 4.02 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings for the Rays last season before the club designated him for assignment in September. He might have trouble cracking Boston's Opening Day roster but he's a fine emergency reliever should an injury happen on the depth chart above him. Feb. 1 - 7:38 pm et

David Ortiz has lost 15 pounds, says Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Ortiz is trying to bounce back from a season where he batted just .222/.317/.416 before the All-Star break. The team holds a $12.5 million club option for 2011, so Big Papi is fighting to keep his job. The 34 year old had a nagging shoulder injury that caused him not to play first base in the World Baseball Classic this past March, an injury that has reportedly cleared up.
Source: Boston Globe Jan. 31 - 8:30 am et

Joe Nelson tells Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that the Red Sox, Dodgers and Nationals are among the teams showing interest in him.
Nelson, 35, was designated for assignment by the Rays in September after posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings. His season was weighed down heavily by an 8.53 ERA in May. "I had a really tough May last year," said Nelson. "Before and after that I was throwing the ball really well." Nelson earned $1.3 million last season.
Source: FOXSports.com Jan. 30 - 5:23 pm et

The Yankees, Rangers and Mariners are all interested in OF Rocco Baldelli.
The Cubs were previously linked to Baldelli as well. The right-hander hit .253/.311/.433 with seven home runs in 150 at-bats last season for Boston. Best utilized as a backup outfielder, Rocco will likely have to accept a minor league deal at this late stage.
Source: Providence Journal Jan. 30 - 8:38 am et

The Red Sox, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Rockies watched free agent Oscar Villarreal throw on Friday, according to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
Villarreal's fastball was clocked between 89 and 90 MPH, which is pretty impressive considering he's just nine months removed from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander is hoping to score a minor league contract and a camp invite before spring training gets underway. He had a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings back in 2008, his last healthy season.
Source: Ed Price on Twitter Jan. 29 - 4:26 pm et

The Phillies are sending a representative to Phoenix, Arizona next Tuesday to watch free agent left-hander Noah Lowry throw.
Lowry hasn't pitched in a major league game since 2007 due in large part to his battle with thoracic outlet syndrome. He had a 4.03 ERA from 2003-2007 with the Giants, though, and is hoping to prove his health with a short throwing session. The Red Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers, Mariners, Cubs, Nationals and Mets are also expected to attend, along with a few others.
Source: Wilmington News Journal Jan. 29 - 10:55 am et

Red Sox signed C Gustavo Molina to a minor league contract.
Molina hasn't appeared in the major leagues since 2008, when he played two games with the Mets. He spent last season with the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, hitting .209/.233/.308 in 211 at-bats. Jan. 29 - 9:07 am et