Morgan Ensberg Signs With Yankees  —  According to a source, the Yankees have signed Morgan Ensberg.  They'll use him at first base (and maybe off the bench).  It's a minor league deal.  Jerry Crasnick confirms it, noting that the Rays and Giants expressed interest.

Santana trade opens market for free agent pitchers  —  The Red Sox and Yankees are used to always getting their man, but with the New York Mets expecting to sign Johan Santana to a contract extension Friday that will finalize their trade with Minnesota, it has left Boston and New York in radically different moods.

Mets, Santana making progress  —  Sides about $20 million apart with deadline looming  —  The Mets and superstar pitcher Johan Santana are making progress on a multi-year contract that's likely to guarantee him about $150 million, according to people familiar with the talks.

19 years after trade, Viola wonders about Santana deal for Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — As the Johan Santana trade story unfolded, Frank Viola couldn't help but see the parallels to his own departure from Minnesota 19 years ago.  —  Both were left-handed aces with Cy Young Awards on their resumes …

Top 100 Prospects  —  The Best of the Best

The deal on the deal (cont.)  —  If you can really fault the Twins, perhaps it was for failing to pounce on the Yankees' offer of top young pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera, pitching prospect Jeffrey Marquez and a fourth undetermined prospect when it was briefly on the table …

Hughes happy to stay  —  With Johan Santana headed to the Mets, Phil Hughes will remain with the Yankees.  —  “That's kind of been my goal the whole time, and to finally know that it's somewhat intact, it's a good feeling,” the 21-year-old right-hander said today at the Yankees' minor league complex.

Bedard trade might clear major hurdle Thursday … The Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles may finally sort through a rules issue this afternoon, taking the next step forward to completing their long-discussed deal involving left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard.

Mariners sign outfielder Wilkerson  —  In a possible precursor to finalization of the Adam Jones trade, the Mariners today announced the signing of free-agent outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a one-year contract.  —  Wilkerson, 30, stands to take over right field if the stalled Jones' trade to Baltimore for Erik Bedard goes through.