Wanted: Santana  —  Sox in aggressive pursuit … The Red Sox [team stats] are actively engaged in trade talks with the Minnesota Twins about Johan Santana and plan to aggressively pursue the two-time Cy Young Award winner, a baseball source said yesterday.

Wagner lays out challenges ahead  —  Veteran closer tackles offseason issues facing club  —  NEW YORK — Part of the Mets' introduction to Billy Wagner two years ago was a warning.  "I'm blunt," he told them.  And he suggested if candor were upsetting, the club might be better off looking elsewhere for a relief pitcher.

Twins still looking to ship Nathan, Santana  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Johan Santana might not be the only big-name Twins pitcher who gets traded before Opening Day.  Joe Nathan also looks like a goner, especially now that the Reds are on the verge of inflating the closer market …

Tom McCarthy rejoins Phillies broadcast team  —  Tom McCarthy, who spent the last two seasons as a play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets on WFAN, is returning to his roots as a member of the Phillies broadcasting team, Rob Brooks, Manager, Broadcasting announced today.

Mailbag: Granderson and the MVP  —  Beat reporter Jason Beck answers Tigers fans' questions  —  I just don't get it.  Jimmy Rollins had a great season for the Phillies, all-around great numbers and won the MVP.  But, Curtis Granderson posted very similar numbers, and the same type of glove …

VP: Focus still firmly on Rays improving  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays' efforts to win approval for a new stadium they will detail today won't affect their efforts to win more games.  —  Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the two missions are "independent" of each other …

A-Rod's dollars make sense for Yankees  —  Despite the posturing, bruised egos and serpentine route of the courtship, Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees are a money-making marriage unparalleled in professional sports.  —  We know the details of Rodriguez's contract: $275 million for 10 years …

Nine Innings: Dodgers GM Ned Colletti  —  Technically, I'm still on vacation, which is why you're not seeing any analysis (not that there have been many moves) until I really return to work on Thursday.  But when the phone rings for an interview, I'm not going to sit around and twiddle my thumbs for a few extra days.

Voices on Barry Bonds  —  There may be no larger lightning rod in Major League Baseball than Barry Lamar Bonds.  He is arguably baseball's poster child for performance-enhancing drugs.  Nevertheless, he has never tested positive for the use of PED.  —  In 2003, Bonds testified …

No worries as Rowand waits  —  Unlike Paul Konerko two years ago and Torii Hunter last week, Gold Glove center fielder Aaron Rowand isn't stressing over his free-agent status.  —  "I'm actually enjoying it," Rowand said Tuesday via phone from his home near Las Vegas.  "We'll know when the time is right.

Brewers guarantee Kendall $4.25M in new deal  —  MILWAUKEE — Jason Kendall will be guaranteed $4.25 million under the one-year contract he and the Milwaukee Brewers intended to finalize Wednesday.  —  The Brewers reached a preliminary agreement last week with the catcher and planned a Wednesday news conference at Miller Park.

Serafini hit with 50-game suspension  —  Free-agent reliever tests positive for banned substance  —  Left-hander Dan Serafini, who pitched in Japan for 3 1/2 seasons prior to resurfacing in the Majors late last summer, has received a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball …