Red Sox Notebook

Some news and notes surrounding the Red Sox in mid-December:

—RHP Brendan Donnelly was not tendered a contract by the Boston Red Sox at the Dec. 12 deadline, so the right-handed reliever is now a free agent open to make a deal with any team. Donnelly, who was among a large group of players named in the Mitchell Report, is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery to his right elbow, but Sox sources indicated that talks are ongoing between the team's front office and the pitcher.

—C Kevin Cash was among eight players who signed minor league deals and received invitations to the Red Sox's major league spring training. Cash will vie for the backup catcher's spot after filling in last summer when C Doug Mirabelli went down with a leg injury. The other seven free agents were RHPs Scott Atchison and Lee Gronkiewicz and INFs Jeff Bailey, Tony Granadillo, Keith Ginter, Joe Thurston and Gil Velazquez.

—OF Jacoby Ellsbury has switched agents and retained the services of notorious super-agent Scott Boras—a development that was confirmed by Boras during the winter meetings in Nashville. Ellsbury had previously retained the services of agent Joe Urbon, but he had a change of heart after a month-long stint with the Red Sox. Boston's clubhouse has a host of Boras clients within its walls, but it's unknown whether those veteran players had any influence on Ellsbury making the switch.

—RHP Mike Timlin officially signed a one-year contract after rumors of an impending deal permeated the winter meetings rumor mill. Timlin was 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA and one save while performing largely in a middle relief role this season, and he had a 3.17 ERA in six postseason games. The 41-year-old ranks fourth on the career list with 44 playoff appearances, and he is the unquestioned veteran leader of the bullpen.

—OF Jonathan Van Every signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox after spending his first six seasons with the Cleveland Indians organization.

—Minor league C Juan Apodaca was acquired by the Red Sox from the Cincinnati Reds for cash. Apodaca, 21, was assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket after spending most of last year at Class A Great Lakes, where he batted .259 in 58 games.

—The Red Sox will receive a supplemental first-round pick after Type B free agent Eric Gagne signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.


BY THE NUMBERS: 12—Consecutive seasons in which RHP Mike Timlin has made at least 50 appearances.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "Judge me by my work. You will not find any evidence of bias, special treatment, for the Red Sox or anyone else. That had no effect on this investigation or this report, none whatsoever. As for players, I remind you that it is common now for players to serve many clubs. Many of the players named on this report played for many years with other clubs, including the Red Sox." -- Former Senator George Mitchell, when asked if his position as a director of the Red Sox could have been represented a possible conflict of interest while working on his report on performance-enhancing substances in baseball.