Dodgers, Jones reach an agreement  —  Deal calls for two years and $36 million, per a baseball official  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking, reaching agreement on Wednesday night with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones on a two-year, $36 million contract, according to a baseball official.

Santana talks with Red Sox heat up again  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Boston Red Sox reaffirmed their status as the favorites to acquire Johan Santana as the team's top executives Wednesday evening warmed to the idea of trading for the Minnesota Twins ace mere hours after questioning the merits of the deal …

Brewers ink Riske to three-year deal  —  Right-handed reliever could be in the mix to be team's closer  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Over the next five days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, new Brewers right-hander David Riske has plenty to celebrate.  —  While Riske and his family began a vacation …

Rolen has to go  —  Nashville - When trade talks with the Brewers for third baseman Scott Rolen broke off Tuesday because St. Louis asked for too much in return, the company line was that the Cardinals were not compelled to trade him.  —  Well, after the scathing remarks made by manager Tony La Russa …

Cubs turn focus to Roberts  —  After they were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Kazuo Matsui, the Cubs have turned their attention to Baltimore's All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts.  —  Roberts hit .290 with 12 homers, 57 RBIs and a .377 on-base percentage during the 2007 season.

Yankees reach out to relievers  —  Offer to lefty Mahay in works; agent for Vizcaino contacted  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Backing away from the blockbuster neighborhood at the Winter Meetings, the Yankees hope to at least upgrade part of their bullpen before checking out.

Smaller swap sends Shelton to Texas  —  Tigers send former slugger to Rangers for outfielder Guzman  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tigers were dealing again on Wednesday, this time with a smaller swap.  Detroit will send former slugging first baseman Chris Shelton to Texas in exchange for outfielder Freddy Guzman.

Santana/Reyes/Haren Rumor Quashed  —  UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:45pm: Billy Beane, who rarely comments on trade rumors, actually went out of his way to call mine below a "total fabrication."  I guess I should be proud, right?  I was the subject of an elaborate hoax/impersonated sportswriter (thanks, Fake John Delcos!).

The Schilling clause??  —  ""NASHVILLE - The Baseball Writers' Association of America voted ths morning to approve a resolution where starting in 2013 all contracts that have financial terms attached to major awards will not be eligible for consideration for that award.

Nationals Pursue Lo Duca  —  Deal Is Finalized to Bring Clippard From the Yankees  —  The Washington Nationals used the third day of baseball's winter meetings to pursue free agent catcher Paul Lo Duca, complete a trade for right-hander Tyler Clippard and actively chase Japanese left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa …

Larkin elected to Reds Hall of Fame  —  Former Reds great one of four to be immortalized by club  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — There is no debate and never has been.  Barry Larkin is one of the best Reds players to ever wear the wishbone 'C' on his cap.  —  That fact is now one of historical document.

Rule 5 Eve Rundown  —  NASHVILLE-Word on the street in Music City in advance of Thursday's Rule 5 draft came fast and furious late Wednesday night.  —  According to several sources, the Padres are planning on moving up to Tampa Bay's No. 1 spot to take Indians outfielder Brian Barton.

Joba is NEXT ... with an exclamation point … Editor's Note: This story appears in the Dec. 17 edition of ESPN The Magazine.  —  IT'S 9:31 A.M. in the off-season, a time when most ballplayers are still deep in REM sleep, but I'm curious to see if Joba Chamberlain lives up to his rep as the King of Text Messaging.

Dontrelle to the Mets?  No, that's not happening.  Not anymore.  —  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the end, the Tigers decided they could afford to keep both Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.  And just about everyone else they have, too.  —  But at one point during the negotiations …