Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Nov 25 (The Sports Xchange) - When Pablo Sandoval arrived in Boston early Tuesday, the natives made sure he quickly recognized his new home. The switch-hitting third baseman was greeted at his introductory press conference at Fenway Park by a fan wearing a mascot-type, oversized panda head. Boston's new third baseman, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract that includes a sixth-year option, was known as the Kung Fu Panda for his physical likeness to the animated film character and jovial personality. - - Free-agent pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is headed back to his native Japan after spending eight years in the major leagues. The 34-year-old Matsuzaka reached a contract agreement with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, the current Japanese League champions, according to the Japan Times. - - The Cincinnati Reds added former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers to their front-office staff on Tuesday as a special assistant for player personnel. - - The San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs appear to be interested in landing free-agent pitcher Jon Lester, according to reports Tuesday. After the Giants lost third baseman Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox, it was reported that Lester has a meeting next week with the World Series champions. Other reports indicated that the Cubs offered the left-hander a six-year contract worth more than $135 million. (Editing by Frank Pingue)