The Red Sox and Phillies, two teams that played each other this weekend, took very opposite paths, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The Phillies spent $50MM over four years for Jonathan Papelbon while the Red Sox went for the low-cost approach with arbitration-eligible Andrew Bailey. So far, things have worked out for both clubs, but in different ways. Papelbon has converted all of his save opportunities while Boston saved themselves a nice chunk of change while filling in for Bailey just fine with Alfredo Aceves. Here's more from Cafardo..

The Diamondbacks are now among the teams that may have interest in Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, as GM Kevin Towers is looking to upgrade offensively at the infield corners.

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The Indians and Phillies are keeping an eye on Kevin Youkilis as he rehabs from injury, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Crasnick goes on to tweet that while the Tribe has a need for a right-handed bat, they've yet to actually call the Red Sox to begin any negotiations.

Youkilis, 33, has appeared in 18 games for the Red Sox this season. He hit just .219/.292/.

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Highlights from the latest edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports..

The Diamondbacks are deep in starters and won't wait to see if they fall out of contention before exploring a trade involving one of their arms. Don't be surprised if Arizona entertains offers for Joe Saunders before the trade deadline, regardless of where they are in the standings.Rockies right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is also likely to be in play. The club is looking at their younger pitchers and they've got Jorge De La Rosa set to come back soon. Teams thinking of trading potential free agents might want to act sooner rather than later in order to save a bit more money and get a better return.

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The Pirates have acquired infielder Drew Sutton from the Braves in exchange for cash considerations, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Sutton, 28, owns a .258/.322/.403 slash line in 178 big league plate appearances.

The utility man signed a minor league contract with Atlanta in November.

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Some links from around the league on a day when Max Scherzer became the first pitcher since 1988 to induce 15 swinging strikeouts in one game...

We're just two weeks shy of the three-year anniversary of the trade that sent Nate McLouth from the Piratesto the Bravesin exchange for Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, and Gorkys Hernandez. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review points out that with Locke being recalled from Triple-A, all four players involved in that trade -- even McLouth himself -- are on the Pirates' 25-man roster.Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News chronicles Manny Ramirez's journey to the Athletics, and ponders which Manny will show up in Oakland. Manny, who began a 10-game minor league assignment this weekend, has a chance to rewrite what was a disappointing ending to his career, writes Brown.Nothing is certain, but Padreslefty Cory Luebke is strongly leaning toward undergoing Tommy John surgery, writes Dan Hayes of the North County Times.

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Here's a look back at the week that was on MLBTR...

TheGiantssignedBrad Pennyto a minor league contract that would pay the right-hander a pro-rated portion of $500K while with the big league team. The Legacy Sports Group client will head to extended Spring Training next week and is considered a bullpen candidate.Free agent right-handerRoy Oswaltthrewa bullpen session for thePhillieslast week and auditioned for theRed SoxandRangersearlier this week. Oswalt is also scheduled to throw for one additional unknown team and is expected to return to baseball within one month.TheMetsarepreparingto offerDavid Wrighta long-term contract extension at some point this year, perhaps as soon as this summer.

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