Mets acquire catcher Johnny Estrada  —  The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired catcher Johnny Estrada from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Guillermo Mota.  —  "Johnny adds depth to our catching situation," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.

Holliday second to Rollins  —  Philadelphia's shortstop edges the Rockies' left fielder for MVP  —  Rockies Nation howled with indignation Tuesday when it was announced Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins beat out their man, Matt Holliday, for the National League MVP award.

Notes: Pettitte watch begins  —  Following holiday break, Girardi looks to talk to lefty about '08  —  NEW YORK — If Joe Girardi's reasoning is correct, Andy Pettitte may be getting to a point where the baseball bug is biting, where thoughts of retirement can be put off for one more World Series pursuit.

Less was more for Lowell  —  He deemed Boston most valuable place  —  Thirty seven and a half million was enough for Mike Lowell.  —  The Red Sox third baseman cast aside bigger and better offers (the Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers all were reportedly in the hunt at one time) to stay in Boston and accept three years.

MLB to auction bug spray Yanks used at Jacobs  —  NEW YORK — Start the bidding on Yankees bug spray.  —  Who could forget New York rookie Joba Chamberlain getting doused with pest repellant during the American League playoffs last month?  Well, here's your chance to own an authentic bottle.

Podsednik given his release by Sox  —  Veteran battles injuries in 2007; Owens makes him expendable  —  CHICAGO — Scott Podsednik's legacy on the South Side of Chicago will be permanently etched as part of the White Sox landscape through a blue seat in right-center field amongst a sea of green at U.S. Cellular Field.

A chip on his repaired shoulder  —  Chavez more motivated than ever after third surgery  —  (11-20) 19:47 PST OAKLAND — Last week, A's third baseman Eric Chavez had his third surgery of the fall, achieving a painful kind of symmetry by adding a left shoulder repair to earlier procedures on his lower back and right shoulder.

Veteran outfielder Finley hopes to play in 2008 … After 19 major league seasons, 2,548 hits and a four-month forced sabbatical last summer, Steve Finley reached a decision: He's not ready to give up on playing just yet.  —  Finley, one of only six players in history with more than 300 career home runs …

Cubs meet with Matsui  —  Hendry: McDonough departure won't affect offseason game plan  —  Wherever the Cubs' fortunes might go after the resignation Tuesday of president John McDonough, this much is clear:  —  General manager Jim Hendry has gone west — as in a trip to Los Angeles …

Barry Bonds - A guide to help you cut through the noise  —  Keith Scherer is a federal criminal defense attorney.  He also does a lot of urinalysis drug cases in military court.  He contributed the legal analysis to Will Carroll's The Juice, and he is a longtime contributor to Baseball Prospectus.