Source: Burnett, Yankees agree on deal … Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Burnett's agent …

Mets acquire RHP Connor Robertson from Arizona  —  The New York Mets tonight acquired righthanded relief pitcher Connor Robertson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Scott Schoeneweis and cash considerations.  —  Robertson, 27, was 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in nine games with Arizona this past season.

Nats, Harris Agree  —  From Dave Sheinin:  —  The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with outfielder Willie Harris to a two-year, $3 million contract.  Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.  —  The versatile and durable Harris enjoyed …

Wigginton, Abercrombie non-tendered  —  Team's decision based on Astros' need to pare payroll  —  HOUSTON — Three hours before the deadline, the Astros announced that they did not tender contracts to third baseman Ty Wigginton and outfielder Reggie Abercrombie.

Will Madoff Scandal Hurt The New York Mets?  (Update)  —  The real estate investment firm Sterling Equities, co-founded by New York Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, had money invested with Bernard Madoff's firm, CNBC has confirmed.  —  “Among our various investments …

Charley Steiner will do radio only for the Dodgers  —  Team will look for another TV announcer for games when Vin Scully isn't there.  —  Charley Steiner understands perception.  —  So when the Dodgers told him Thursday he would do no Dodgers television broadcast work, only radio from now on …

Report: Sox make offer to Kawakami  —  From the Globe's Daigo Fujiwara:  —  Nikkan Sports, one of Tokyo's biggest daily sports/entertainment newspapers, is reporting that Red Sox have offered Kenshin Kawakami a 3-year, $21-million deal.  —  The report appeared in Saturday morning's edition of Nikkan Sports.

Betemit, Wise agree to one-year deals  —  Infielder, outfielder avoid arbitration; Jenks next on Sox list  —  CHICAGO — Bobby Jenks now stands as the lone remaining arbitration-eligible player on the White Sox 40-man roster, after outfielder DeWayne Wise and infielder Wilson Betemit agreed to one-year deals on Friday.

Cubs sign Gaudin to one-year deal  —  The Cubs got busy Friday on the tender date for arbitration-eligible players, signing relievers Chad Gaudin ($2 million) and Neal Cotts ($1.1 million) to one-year contracts and tendering contracts to their four other arbitration-eligible players …

Royals designate Jason Smith to clear space for Horacio Ramirez  —  The Royals designated utility infielder Jason Smith for assignment Friday to clear space on their 40-man roster for left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramirez.  —  Smith, 31, spent the first four month of last season at Class AAA Omaha …

Ibanez, Phillies agree to 3-year, $30M deal  —  The Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, pending a physical.  The deal is believed to be worth $30 million over three years.  —  The 36-year-old Ibanez will become the Phillies' new every-day leftfielder …

Pirates complete signing of Vazquez  —  The Pirates this afternoon completed the signing of utility infielder Ramon Vazquez to a two-year contract worth a total of $4 million.  —  Vazquez, 32, is coming off a season with the Texas Rangers in which he batted a career-high .290 …

Shaughnessy At It Again  —  Every year as the Hall-of-Fame vote nears, the debates over certain players intensify.  As part of this tradition over the last few years, you can set your watch to a Dan Shaughnessy mail-in supporting the candidacy of Jim Rice.  Shaughnessy's case for Rice and …

Feds nab one of worst deadbeat dads  —  READ  —  One of Texas' worst deadbeat dads has been arrested after a long stay abroad, the San Antonio Express-News has confirmed.  —  Troy Lee Neel, a former professional baseball player accused of owing almost $725,000 in child support, was taken into custody in Los Angeles on Thursday.