Rollins nabs NL MVP Award  —  Shortstop backed up talk this season with big performance  —  PHILADELPHIA — Considering the amazing streaks for the teams whose uniforms they wore, the National League MVP race had to be this close.  —  There could be no other finish.

Hunter refutes Sun-Times report  —  Free-agent outfielder says impending signing 'not true'  —  CHICAGO — Torii Hunter's affinity for all things White Sox has been well documented over the past few months, from the impressive condition of U.S. Cellular Field's playing field …

Sources: Tribe near deal with Kobayashi  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Indians, continuing the run on Japanese relievers, are close to an agreement with right-hander Masahide Kobayashi, according to major-league sources.  —  Kobayashi was already taking his physical for the team Tuesday.

Mets may trade for new catcher, starting pitcher  —  Oakland A's starter Joe Blanton is one of the Omar Minaya's targets as the Mets try to improve their pitching via the trade market.  (KRT Photo)  —  The field of free-agent starting pitchers is mediocre at best, and the available catchers aren't even that good.

Lowell staying put  —  Third baseman agrees to three-year, $37.5 million deal  —  It all started not long after the final out of the World Series, the thousands left in the Coors Field crowd chanting for the return of third baseman Mike Lowell: "Bring back Lowell!  Bring back Lowell!"

Rockies far from signing Torrealba  —  The Rockies are right back where they were a week ago with free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba - far from reaching a deal.  —  With the Mets backing out of a three-year, $14.4 million agreement with Torrealba, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd resumed talks …

Anatomy of a player: Tom Glavine  —  Tom Glavine is a certain Hall of Famer who notched his 300th career victory this year, his 20th in the majors.  Glavine started his career with the Braves, winning two Cy Young awards, and signed a free agent deal with the Mets in 2003.

McDonough stepping down as president  —  Longtime team exec to take position with Blackhawks  —  CHICAGO — John McDonough, who has been with the Cubs since October 1983, most recently as team president, is reportedly stepping down to take over the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.

WFAN lands Heyman, Girardi  —  It's always baseball season on WFAN, so it's no surprise that when it made two announcements in recent days, both involved the New York pastime.  —  Friday, the station revealed it had hired Jon Heyman away from ESPN 1050, for whom he had spent the past five years offering insights and information.

K-Rod could make big money next year  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 9 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez, eligible for free agency after next season, has slowed down talks about a possible contract extension.  —  Mariano Rivera's new, three-year …

If only they'd noticed … The Rays' Carlos Pena, ninth in AL MVP voting hit 46 home runs with 121 RBI.  Only 35 seasons have ever been better since they began giving MVP awards in 1931.  —  Times]  —  ST. PETERSBURG - This distinction will never be officially recorded.

Park Chan-ho Sacrifices Dodgers Contract for Olympic Squad  —  Park Chan-ho has moved many Korean baseball fans by choosing loyalty to his country over his dreams.  In an announcement entitled "The Value of Loyalty" posted to his website (www.chanhopark61.com) on Monday …

Rivera to Yankees: I will accept offer  —  The three-year, $45M offer the Yankees put on the table to closer Mariano Rivera looks to be a done deal after he told the club he would accept the terms  —  Just over a week ago, the Yankees faced the possibility that they might have to seek replacements …