December 23, 1997: The Red Sox sign free-agent outfielder Darren Lewis, most recently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a one-year contract; Lewis will ultimately play four seasons--1998-2001-- with Boston, where he is celebrated for his outstanding defense and much-needed leadership contribution in the Red Sox clubhouse. [...]

December 22, 1980: The Red Sox finally mail catcher Pudge Fisk his contract for 1981, but it is two days after the Basic Agreement deadline and Fisk is declared a free agent; insiders believe that GM Haywood Sullivan wanted to avoid arbitration, which would have given Fisk a big payday, but the move backfired when the Chicago White Sox swooped in and signed [...]

December 21, 2001: The Red Sox sign free-agent center fielder Johnny Damon, most recently with the Oakland A's, to a four-year contract; during his four seasons in Boston, Damon will average 14 home runs and 25 stolen bases per year, and he will play a key role as one of "The Idiots" with the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox. [...]

December 20, 2001: The Jean Yawkey Trust announces that it has sold a100% interest in the Red Sox to an ownership group headed by John Henry and Tom Werner for $700 million; the sale is approved by MLB three months later and the Henry/Werner group takes control of the organization during spring training in Fort Myers, FL. [...]

December 19, 2012: The Red Sox sign free-agent Ryan Dempster to a two-year contract totalling $26.5 million; the right-handed pitcher will start 29 games during the regular season for the 2013 World Champion Red Sox compiling a record of 8-9, but the veteran Dempster is used sparingly by Boston in the postseason. [...]