2010 Top 50 Free Agents  —  It's time for the fourth annual MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 Free Agents list!  The entire list of available free agents can be found here.  —  A note before we begin - this is a complicated puzzle, and I'll be satisfied if I'm correct on a quarter of these guesses.

Phillies Top 10 Prospects  —  Philadelphia Phillies … The first Philadelphia entry in the National League, known as the Quakers, went 17-81 way back in 1883.  The franchise became the Phillies in 1890 and took 25 years to win its first pennant.  Before the franchise captured …

Victor Zambrano's mother kidnapped in Venezuela  —  The mother of former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano was kidnapped Sunday, Zambrano's agent Peter Greenberg said late Sunday night by phone.  —  Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano was abducted sometime Sunday morning from her son's farm …

Sox decline option on Gonzalez  —  The Red Sox have declined a $6 million option on shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to a source, but the club still may have interest in bringing the player back in 2010 on a lesser salary.  —  News of the Sox' decision to forgo the option on Gonzalez comes …

Stripped-down GM meetings set to open at O'Hare  —  STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER  —  With a nod toward the tough economy, baseball's general managers will give up opulence and luxury for practicality when they convene for their annual meetings, beginning today at O'Hare.

After getting rid of Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs have 3 priorities in offseason  —  Finding leadoff hitter, center field and possible middle infielder on wish list  —  Milton Bradley leaves the game for a pinch runner in the 6th inning.  (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / September 17, 2009)

Artful Dodgers, bleeding, blue  —  Here, Frank and Jamie McCourt were a formidable team.  In LA, their second act may be just about up  —  Jamie McCourt (far left) and Frank McCourt (far right) at a Dodgers playoff game against the Phillies.  (Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images)

Royals covet a catcher as the next step in offseason overhaul  —  The next step in the Royals' offseason makeover is to acquire a catcher before Dec. 12 and therefore provide an alternative to offering a contract to arbitration-eligible John Buck.  —  “We led all of baseball (last season) …

Sox pick up V-Mart option  —  CHICAGO - The Sox have exercised the $7.1 million 2010 option for catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez according to his agent Alan Nero.  —  We now await decisions on Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek and whether the Sox will pick up their options..

Hall of Fame Thoughts  —  Hall of Fame time already?  Well, no. But to beat the rush, here are a few thoughts about four interesting new candidates ...  Question: Who is the best eligible hitter who is not in the Hall of Fame?  —  I think this is an interesting question.

Rangers have trade chips in pitchers  —  Plenty of teams need starters, and Texas seems stacked  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers may be in the unusual position of being able to trade starting pitching this offseason.  —  The Rangers normally go into a winter looking for pitching …

Minor's rough start uncharacteristic  —  Prospect hit hard in Rising Stars game but has bright future  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The all-star event of the offseason league dubbed baseball's “finishing school” turned out to be the school of hard knocks for Mike Minor.  —  Well ... some hard knocks.