BOSTON – The New York Yankees are back in business after a pair of moves that bolstered the pitching rotation. General Manager Brian Cashman delivered a one-two punch to his AL East foes Friday, trading for Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda. Just like that, New York’s rotation is one of the deepest in the […]

SOUTH PORTLAND – Say you had five minutes alone with Bobby Valentine on Friday night. More than enough time to shake his hand and pop one question. What would you have asked the new Red Sox manager? Kevin Smith of Falmouth wanted to know how Valentine would handle the team’s veteran players. Will he show […]

BOSTON — In fewer than six weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to JetBlue Park as the Bobby Valentine era begins for the Red Sox. If the Sox have any playoff hopes, they need to get better pitching. The final pitch of 2011 is also the lasting image of Boston’s historic collapse. Robert Andino’s winning […]

With three other catchers already on the roster, Boston isn’t expected to re-sign Jason Varitek.

BOSTON – Kelly Shoppach and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract Tuesday that brings the free-agent catcher back to his original team. The move likely ends Jason Varitek’s 15-year tenure behind the plate in Boston. Shoppach, 31, batted .176 with 11 homers and 22 RBI in 87 games last season, […]

Bobby Valentine says that he used to love the Yankees. But now as the Red Sox manager … not so much.