Tender Mercies. Doug Mirabelli agreed to a $825,000 contract for next season, with a possible additional $100,000 in performance bonuses. The Red Sox offered contracts to Trot Nixon, Byung-Hyun Kim, Scott Williamson and David Ortiz. The club reached agreements on new contracts with Gabe Kapler (1-year, $750,000), Jason Shiell and Edwin Almonte. Not offered contracts: Damian Jackson, Lou Merloni and Scott Sauerbeck.

Art Martone on The Deal. ... Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Part 78,905,862. ... Gammons checks in this afternoon (he offers a book title, but no theme songs); all mention of the Incensed A-Rod that was a big part of his story yesterday article is gone.