Free agent Bay nixes Sox's initial offer … Star free agent outfielder Jason Bay has declined Boston's initial contract offer and will head to full free agency, SI.com has learned.  —  Boston's offer to Bay was believed to be for four years and “close to $60 million,” according to sources.

Why I picked Carpenter over Lincecum  —  (11-18) 21:30 PST — If Tim Lincecum wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award today, I will be happy for the lad.  Lincecum is one of the best and most electric pitchers in the game and had another fantastic season.

Bud Selig still isn't worried about the Dodgers  —  Commissioner won't discuss what the future might hold given the McCourts' divorce proceedings but says team is ‘in good hands.’  —  Commissioner Bud Selig, right, refused to offer assurances to fans worried that the divorce saga involving Frank …

Reds won't be busy in free agency  —  General manager Jocketty doesn't expect to be active  —  CINCINNATI — Free agency opens for business at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, and that means it will be buying season for all 30 clubs.  —  Don't expect the Reds to be busy free-agent shoppers, however.

Cubs, lefty reliever Grabow agree to 2-year deal  —  The Cubs and left-hander reliever John Grabow have agreed in principle to a two-year deal, team sources said today.  —  There was never any doubt that Grabow would return, but with the 15-day exclusivity window to re-sign …

Mets vow to spend on free agents, but how much, whom?  —  Omar Minaya must cast a wider net to see how he can repair a fractured team that went 70-92 this season.  —  In a perfect world, one  —  without payroll restrictions, the Mets could splurge on free agents to solve all of their most pressing needs.

Patience a free-agent virtue for Braves  —  Club could look to open market to fill holes in 'pen, first base  —  ATLANTA — Last year, the Braves aggressively attacked the free-agent market in search of top-flight starting pitchers.  As this year's free-agent season begins …

Havens heats up as AFL winds down  —  Mets prospect scores three runs, raises average to .324  —  Reese Havens is finishing his five-week stint in the Arizona Fall League on a roll.  —  The Mets' prospect fell a home run short of the cycle and scored three times Wednesday …

Beane looking to go young in offseason  —  GM to pursue youth rather than spending on free agents  —  OAKLAND — The 15-day window in which teams hold exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents closes at 9 p.m. PT on Thursday, at which point the A's will be free to start their holiday shopping.

Phillies add three players to 40-man roster  —  Move ensures prospects won't be picked in Rule 5 Draft  —  The Phillies selected the contracts of speedy center fielder Quintin Berry, left-hander Yohan Flande and right-hander Jesus Sanchez on Tuesday, thus adding them to the 40-man roster, which currently stands at 30 players.

Minor League Transactions  —  The full list of this year's minor league free agents is available elsewhere on our site.  Here you'll find a spattering of 40-man roster-related moves—players removed and players added in advance of Friday's deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 draft.