Yankees finalize 40-man roster  —  Seven prospects protected from upcoming Rule 5 Draft  —  NEW YORK — Moving to protect their Minor Leaguers from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees shifted seven players onto their 40-man roster late Friday afternoon.

Shelley not coming back to Yankees  —  Shelley Duncan was outrighted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but that doesn't mean he'll end up there.  —  The first time a player clears waivers and is sent outright to the minor leagues, he has no choice but to accept the assignment.

Johnson wanted four-year deal  —  There will be no long-term contract for pitcher Josh Johnson with the Florida Marlins this winter, his agent said Friday.  —  Agent Matt Sosnick told ESPN.com that negotiations between the Marlins and Johnson have reached an “impasse,” and Johnson expects to play under a one-year deal in 2010.

Mets can't ditch Castillo  —  The Mets opened free agency quietly yesterday, stirring only long enough to scotch reports of a potential three-way trade involving Luis Castillo.  —  The proposed deal, originally reported by the Chicago Tribune, also involved the Cubs and Rangers …

Cuban defector Chapman fires agent  —  Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman has fired the representative who helped him gain free agency, his former agency confirmed Saturday.  —  Edwin Mejia, of Athletes Premier International, had represented Chapman soon after he defected from the Cuban national team in July.

BATTLE OF BULGE  —  Jenks, Guillen at odds over closer's weight, whether it affected down year in 2009  —  South Side, we have a problem.  —  A 6-4, 285-pound problem that better be resolved before feelings get hurt and relationships are destroyed.  —  After a calf injury ended closer …

Jays talk Halladay with Cubs  —  GM Anthopoulos mum on issue; deal unlikely as of now  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was adamant earlier this month that he was not shopping any of his players this offseason — not even ace Roy Halladay.  Anthopoulos might be changing his tune.

Contreras, Son Reportedly Looking for Move to Japan  —  Here's one I didn't think of: Jose Conteras is reportedly looking for a job in Japan.  —  Sanspo reported a few days ago that Contreras reached out to the Hanshin Tigers, who despite being in need of pitching, aren't interested in his services.

San Diego Padres GM Jed Hoyer has ‘cordial’ meeting with Adrian Gonzalez's agent  —  Adrian Gonzalez's agent met with San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer on Friday, amid ongoing speculation that the Padres might consider trade proposals for the two-time All-Star or offer him a multiyear contract extension this offseason.

Red Sox inquire about Holliday, A. Beltre, M. Gonzalez, R. Ankiel  —  Add four Scott Boras clients to the list of free agents the Red Sox have expressed interest in.  —  Outfielders Matt Holliday and Rick Ankiel, left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez and third baseman Adrian Beltre have all been discussed …

Report: Brewers sign Dominican prospect  —  Highly-regarded shortstop will need to pass age verification  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have agreed to terms with 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Santo Aybar, according to a report on ESPN.com.  —  The report, which cited Brewers Latin American …