This is the December 22, 2012 news archive. View today's NL Central news and rumors.

NL Central News and Rumors

Report: Former Major Leaguer Ryan Freel Commits Suicide At Age 36

Isaac Rauch, deadspin.com

Former utility player Ryan Freel, who broke into the majors with Toronto in 2001 and played the majority of his eight-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, committed suicide today. First Coast News in Jacksonville has the first report: More »

CNNSI.com

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A person familiar with the talks says the Pirates and Red Sox are close to completing a trade that would send All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan to Boston for a handful of prospects.

CNNSI.com

Adam Greenberg is getting a chance to resume his baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles.

CNNSI.com

Free agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski has passed a physical, clearing the way for a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.

Mark Townsend, yahoo.com

Francisco Liriano’s new two-year, $14 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates headlined Friday's flurry of starting pitcher signings, but there were three other interesting and noteworthy players who reached minor league agreements with new teams a…