Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Bell, Acta, Rays

Another October day without baseball?  Drown your sorrows in some links…

• Peter Abraham, in his new gig with the Boston Globe, thinks the Red Sox will tread cautiously with Japanese players like Yusei Kikuchi because of the "tug-of-war" they've gone through with Daisuke Matsuzaka concerning his conditioning methods.  The Sox are among several teams scheduled to meet with Kikuchi in Japan later this week.
• MLB.com's Corey Brock fields a question about arbitration-eligible closer Heath Bell in his latest inbox.  Bell is set for a substantial pay raise after tallying 42 saves in 2009.  Should the Padres try to deal him this winter?
• Former Nationals skipper Manny Acta had a phone interview with Indians GM Mark Shapiro last week to discuss the Tribe's managing vacancy, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Acta will also interview Friday for the Astros' opening.
• According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have hired former Astros pitching coach Dewey Robinson to their minor league staff.