Red Sox interested in reliever Wheeler  —  The Red Sox are discussing a possible deal with righthanded reliever Dan Wheeler, a Rhode Island native who has pitched effectively for Tampa Bay the last four seasons.  —  Wheeler, 33, has a 3.84 ERA in parts of 11 seasons with four teams.

Red Sox To Sign Bobby Jenks  —  The Red Sox have agreed to a two-year, $12MM deal with Bobby Jenks, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).  Jon Heyman of SI.com first reported (on Twitter) that the sides were closing in on a deal, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports …

Source: Yankees “exploring” Rafael Soriano  —  UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.: A Yankees official just downplayed the idea that they will go after Rafael Soriano.  “The price is going to be too high,” the official said.  —  Brian Cashman said last week he wouldn't pay “closer money” for Kerry Wood to return to the Yankees as a setup man.

Expect Sox to sign Crain on Wednesday  —  Twins reliever worked 71 games last season with 21 holds  —  Twins pitcher Jesse Crain picked up a tipped ball to throw out Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago at first.  (Bruce Bisping, McClatchy-Tribune / May 5, 2010)

UPDATED: Nationals agree to trade Josh Willingham to Athletics  —  The Nationals have agreed to trade left fielder Josh Willingham to the Oakland A's for two young minor league players, a source familiar with the trade confirmed.  In return for Willingham, the Nationals received reliever Henry Rodriguez …

A's trade for Josh Willingham  —  The Oakland Athletics acquired outfielder Josh Willingham from the Washington Nationals on Thursday for two players.  —  The Nationals received pitcher Henry Rodriguez and minor league outfielder Corey Brown.  Rodriguez, 23, went 1-0 with a 4.55 ERA in 29 relief appearances with Oakland last season.