Creature comforts were worth wait for all concerned  —  So perhaps there was no other way for this to turn out but as a "joyous day in New England," as Red Sox owner John Henry termed it.  —  But for anyone who believes it was a foregone conclusion, this celebratory press conference …

Iwamura signs three-year deal  —  Japanese infielder expected to play third base for Rays in '07  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Reaching across the Pacific Ocean for help, the Devil Rays signed infielder Akinori Iwamura on Friday to a three-year contract worth $7.7 million, with a club option for a fourth year at $4.25 million.

Red Sox acquire Donnelly from Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels traded former All-Star reliever Brendan Donnelly to the Boston Red Sox on Friday for rookie left-hander Phil Seibel.  —  The 35-year-old Donnelly became expendable when the Angels and reliever Justin Speier agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract.

Zito is going to strike it rich … Maybe it was the strain of going 48 straight hours without sleep, but Scott Boras sounded less than euphoric after negotiating Daisuke Matsuzaka's six-year, $52 million deal with Boston on Wednesday.  —  Baseball's most powerful agent found his first big foray …

Is Ichiro San Fran-bound in 2008?  —  Fear not, Giants fans.  The team's 2007 edition will be another Senior League special, but after that club officials could replace Barry Bonds with a far more appealing star.  —  How does Ichiro sound?  —  San Francisco, with its huge Japanese community …

YANKS MAY GIVE DOUG DEAL  —  Before the Yankees make Doug Mientkiewicz a contract offer they want to see the medical report from Dr. Robert Watkins who operated on the first baseman's back.  —  The Yankees, who have experienced back troubles with pitchers Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson lately …

Gonzalez drawing heavy interest  —  Eight minor-leaguers signed, including Wasdin  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Where Mike Gonzalez will pitch next season remains a mystery, but this much is not: The interest in him is mounting.  —  It is believed that no fewer …

Nationals obtain financial flexibility  —  Piece-by-piece, deal-by-deal, the Washington Nationals have transformed themselves over the last six months from a "mid-budget" club of veterans with several burdensome, long-term commitments into a "low-budget" squad of young players with loads of financial flexibility moving forward.

30 Voices on the State of the Game  —  Of all the comments made for this article, maybe Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus put it best:  —  "Saying what's right and wrong with the game is an exercise in hubris and futility."  —  True, but that doesn't mean we can't try, right?

Cubs and Ted Lilly agree to four-year deal  —  The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has agreed to a four-year deal with free agent left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly.  —  Lilly, 30, won a career-best 15 games last season with the Toronto Blue Jays.  He was 15-13 with a 4.31 ERA …

Cubs hang help-wanted sign  —  Team searches for assistant GM to take pressure off Hendry  —  The Cubs are looking to hire an assistant general manager, according to baseball sources, and interim team President John McDonough would not deny the rumors.  —  "I'm not in a position to talk …