Red Sox Agree To Sign Carl Crawford  —  The Red Sox started the Winter Meetings with a splash and they won't leave before making another blockbuster addition.  Boston has agreed to a seven-year, $142MM deal with Carl Crawford, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (on Twitter).

Sources: Yanks offer Cliff Lee 7 years … The New York Yankees on Thursday have gone to a seventh year on their offer to Cliff Lee, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney and ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand.  —  Sources told ESPNNewYork.com and ESPN.com that the original offer to Lee was for six years and $140 million.

Clubs seek diamond in rough in Rule 5 Draft  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a perfect world, teams would take the relatively low risk of making a selection in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft and uncover a Johan Santana, Josh Hamilton, Joakim Soria or Dan Uggla.  —  But while the Rule 5 Draft …

Sources: Cubs targeting Matt Garza  —  Officials from the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs met for the second time during the Winter Meetings on Wednesday night to discuss the parameters of a trade that would send right-handed pitcher Matt Garza to Chicago for a number of the Cubs' top prospects, according to multiple sources.

Steve Garvey as would-be suitor for Dodgers  —  The former All-Star says he has an investment group that wants the team, but Frank McCourt responds that he would turn away all potential buyers.  —  Steve Garvey, one of the most popular players in Dodgers history, said Wednesday he has assembled …

Twins Would Consider Trading Slowey  —  The Twins would consider trading Kevin Slowey - especially if they re-sign Carl Pavano - reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Sherman says the Twins have actually received inquiries on ace Francisco Liriano from the Yankees and others, but a team official can't imagine moving the lefty.

Royals getting in on the winter fun  —  Melky Cabrera will be back in the AL again after signing with Kansas City.

Mets finalize contracts with Carrasco, Paulino … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Catcher Ronny Paulino and right-handed reliever D.J. Carrasco officially became New York Mets on Thursday when both free agents passed physicals in New York.  —  Paulino, 29, signed a one-year …

Astros add three pitchers, including former Rice star  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Astros turned the No. 5 spot in the 2011 rotation into a free-for-all, agreeing to terms with pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, and taking two more candidates in the Rule 5 draft.

Mariners Reach Agreement With Miguel Olivo  —  The Mariners won't be going young at catcher anytime soon.  Today they reached an agreement with backstop Miguel Olivo on a two-year, $7MM deal, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times notes, “Adam Moore's stock with this team appears to have taken a hit.”

Twins to ship Hardy to Baltimore  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Having spent much of the week looking for a shortstop, the Orioles have found one: The Twins have agreed to send J.J. Hardy and infielder Brendan Harris to Baltimore in exchange for minor-league pitchers Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey.