Week In Review: 12/23/12 – 12/29/12

Here's a look back at the last (full) week of 2012..

• The Pirates sent Joel Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt to the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon, first baseman/outfielder Jerry Sands, infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr., and right-hander Stolmy Pimentel.  Hanrahan, 31, pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 59 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh last season.
• Nick Swisher signed a four-year, $56MM deal with the Indians on Sunday.  The slugger's contract includes a $14MM vesting option in year five if he has 550 plate appearances in 2016.  That would boost the overall value to $70MM.
• The Red Sox agreed to sign Mike Napoli to a three-year, $39MM deal in the first week of December, but have yet to finalize the deal over concerns about his hip.  With the agreement in limbo, another club has expressed interest in the catcher, though no offer has been extended.
• Meanwhile, the Red Sox are looking at Adam LaRoche as a Plan B.  The first baseman still wants to return to the Nationals, but is frustrated that he has yet to reach an agreement with them.  LaRoche wants a three-year deal but Washington and Boston say they won't go past two.
• Hideki Matsui decided to call it a career after ten years in the majors.
• The Mariners inked Raul Ibanez to a one-year deal worth $2.75MM and $1.25MM in incentives.
• Matt Diaz signed a minor league deal with the Yanks that will pay him $1.2MM if he makes the big league roster.
• The Brewers agreed to sign Mike Gonzalez to a one-year contract worth $2.25MM plus incentives.
• The Padres are talking with Brett Myers and would use him in his preferred role of starter.
• The Orioles are still talking with free agent hurler Joe Saunders.
• Five teams have reached out to Derek Lowe.
• The Marlins signed John Maine to a minor league deal.
• The Cubs signed Hisanori Takahashi to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
• Former Giants closer Brian Wilson is generating lots of interest.
• The Mets signed Aaron Laffey to a minor league contract.
• The O's and manager Buck Showalter are close to a contract extension.
• The Rays are looking for a bat.
• Takashi Saito is returning to Japan.
• The Mets want bullpen help.
• Ugueth Urbina is out of prison and hopes to pitch again.