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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Bagwell retires owning most Astros hit marks  —  HOUSTON — Jeff Bagwell retired Friday after 15 years with the Houston Astros, ending a career in which he hit 449 home runs but was forced from the field after the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury.  —  Along with Craig Biggio …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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?

Magowan admits questions remain  —  Giants owner defends Bonds deal, concedes pitching is unsettled  —  The Giants hosted their annual holiday party for 200 homeless children Thursday.  In attendance were owner Peter Magowan, manager Bruce Bochy and new Giants Dave Roberts, Rich Aurilia and Bengie Molina.