The Twins Ready To Move On Johan Santana  —  FWIW, Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune told Charlie Steiner on his XM Radio show, “Baseball Beat”, that Twins officials he has spoken with on the team's Winter Caravan would ideally want a Johan Santana trade completed by next week.

Yankees, Cano negotiating long-term deal  —  The Yankees are in discussions to sign second baseman Robinson Cano to a long-term contract.  (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill)  —  The Yankees are working toward a deal that would lock up second baseman Robinson Cano for the next four years and perhaps beyond.

Quiet winter for big spenders  —  The biggest surprise this offseason could be that the big spenders didn't spend.  —  After winning the World Series in 2004, the Red Sox revamped their rotation.  They let Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe leave as free agents and brought in Matt Clement and David Wells, a pair of signings that went bad.

RHP Soriano, Braves agree to 2-year, $9M deal  —  ATLANTA (AP) - Relief pitcher Rafael Soriano and the Atlanta Braves agreed Thursday to a $9 million, two-year contract that avoided arbitration.  —  The Braves plan to make Soriano their closer this season.

Jays sign Barajas to one-year deal  —  Veteran will serve as Zaun's backup at catcher  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays and Rod Barajas have apparently cleared the air.  After an agreement fell apart between the two sides last offseason, leading to some harsh words, Toronto has signed Barajas …

Committee Reviewing McNamee Tapes  —  The House oversight committee is reviewing transcripts of three conversations by Brian McNamee, the personal trainer who said he injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, a congressional staff person with direct knowledge of the matter said Thursday.

2007 payroll second lowest in the majors  —  The Marlins walk out of the dugout after they completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs during their last home baseball game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky / September 27, 2007)  —  Injuries contributed …

Promoter sez Rickey stole more than bases  —  Rickey doesn't like it when Rickey gets sued.  —  All-time stolen bases king Rickey Henderson is being taken to court by a promoter of sports collectibles shows who says Henderson swiped more than bases.  —  MAB Celebrity Services has filed …

Fastball 101: Bringing The Heat  —  Pitchers with premium velocity have an advantage because their heat gives themselves a bit more margin for error.  A quicker fastball has a better chance of missing bats, keeping the ball out of play and leading to more strikeouts.

Rangers send Shelton to Triple-A Oklahoma  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  Chris Shelton cleared waivers Thursday and was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma.  —  He was invited to major league spring training, meaning the 27-year-old will compete with Jason Botts for the backup first base …

Sorry Sammy?  —  I hear there are rumblings throughout Latin America regarding the mistreatment of one of the greatest home run hitters of all time.  People are coming to his defense and others are angry the team that signed him last year - the same team that signed him when he was just a teenager - wants nothing to do with him.