Shane Victorino, Boston Red Sox agree to $39 million contract — source  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Boston Red Sox agreed to a deal with free-agent outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday.  —  Victorino, who is on a snorkeling trip in Maui, confirmed on his Twitter account that he has joined the rapidly rebuilding Red Sox.

Will meetings produce a blockbuster?  —  A blockbuster could be in the works.  —  A variety of three-, four- and even five-team trades are in play at the winter meetings, mostly involving the same clubs and same principal players, according to major-league sources.  —  The clubs: Arizona, Cleveland, Texas and Tampa Bay.

Report: Yunel Escobar ready to move on from Miami Marlins  —  Yunel Escobar has resigned himself to the fact he won't be suiting up for the Miami Marlins, and he doesn't mind one bit.  Escobar told El Nuevo Herald he's better off playing elsewhere.  —  At this week's Winter Meetings …

Sveum shrugs off being shot in ear by Yount during hunting trip  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dale Sveum apparently was the victim of a Cubbie occurrence recently when he was accidentally shot in the right ear during a quail hunting trip with old pal Robin Yount.  —  “He got the bird,” Sveum said.

Greinke sets pitching market  —  How much does Zack Greinke want, from which team?  A waiting market wonders … NASHVILLE — One of these days, in a transactions column near you, Zack Greinke will get around to picking his next employer.  —  It might be this week.  It might be next week.

2013 Texas Rangers Top 10 Prospects … With nine games to go in the regular season, the Rangers had the best record in the American League and looked poised to make a run to their third straight American League pennant.  But when Texas lost seven of its final nine contests …

David Wright proud to return to Mets  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — None of the most notable players in New York Mets history has played his entire career with the franchise.  —  Tom Seaver was traded to the Cincinnati Reds midway through 1977, while en route to a 21-win season.

Rockies Acquire Wilton Lopez  —  The Rockies added a late-inning reliever today, acquiring Wilton Lopez and a player to be named later or cash from the Astros for starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham, the teams announced.  —  Lopez, 29, very nearly joined the Phillies …

Royals aren't entertaining Butler talks in Nashville  —  Club may be out of running to acquire Mets knuckleballer Dickey  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although manager Ned Yost keeps talking about the Royals hitting more home runs next year, that doesn't seem to stop speculation about a trade involving his top home-run hitter, Billy Butler.

Headley's breakout season now includes GIBBY  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The offseason award haul continued for Padres third baseman Chase Headley on Tuesday, when he won a Greatness in Baseball Yearly Award (GIBBY) for MLB Breakout Hitter of the Year.  —  Last month, Headley finished fifth …

A's shortstop short list gets shorter  —  The A's like shortstop Stephen Drew, but his agent is thought to be pursuing a multi-year deal of at least $10 million per year.  Billy Beane is not expected to make a high-end commitment.  Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle / SF  —  Nashville —

Mets hold cards, but unsure how Dickey saga will play out  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mets have told R.A. Dickey what they are willing to do in a contract extension.  —  They have told teams interested in acquiring Dickey the types of players — notice the plural — necessary to obtain him.

Rays promote Jamie Nelson to assist hitting coach Derek Shelton  —  NASHVILLE — As the Rays struggled offensively during the season, fans and talk-show callers had all kinds of suggestions for hitting coach Derek Shelton.  —  Tuesday, the Rays got him some help.

Marlins don't seem enthusiastic about Carl Pavano reunion, but never say never  —  Dave Pepe, the agent for pitcher Carl Pavano, spoke to the Marlins yesterday, but there's no indication on how those talks went.  —  One Marlins source didn't seem enthusiastic about the team taking a chance on Pavano …

Source: Yanks insured for most of A-Rod deal  —  If Alex Rodriguez is unable to play in 2013, or in a worst-case scenario is forced to retire because of the hip injury that will require surgery next month, it would not be a total loss for the Yankees.  —  At least not financially.