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.

New York Mets jump into bargain hunt for free agent Jose Guillen  —  The Mets have a backup option if the Matt Holliday and Jason Bay bidding gets out of hand.  The Royals, who are looking to deal outfielder Jose Guillen, identified the Mets as a potential trading partner, although there was no deal considered close, sources said.

Yankees can wait for Halladay  —  Talent, first.  An ocean of coin to follow.  —  That's the price tag hanging around Roy Halladay's neck as the small collection of teams that can afford him hatch their plans to acquire arguably the best pitcher in baseball from the Blue Jays.

To Hang In, a Series Winner Must Learn to Let Go  —  More than any other team in American professional sports, the Yankees cannot afford to rebuild.  The team's partnership with the YES regional sports network is too lucrative when the Yankees are winning, their hulking palace of a stadium …

Orioles Notes: Beltre, Delgado, Wolf, Blalock  —  The Orioles are positioned to be buyers in free agency, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  GM Andy MacPhail says that the club is looking to spend this offseason, but there remains some skepticism in Baltimore …

Mets expand club presence at Citi Field  —  Parts of stadium will be re-named for influential Mets  —  FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today announced plans to expand the presence of club history at Citi Field next season in a variety of ways including renaming areas of the ballpark after Casey Stengel …

Former Yankees on the move  —  Last night, when I read that the Houston Astros had signed former Yankees minor league pitcher Jose Valdez, I assumed it was a minor league deal that might be worth a note at some point.  Then I read on Mike Ashmore's blog that Valdez was added to the Astros' 40-man.

The Greatest Cardinal?  —  From left, Rogers Hornsby, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols (File photos/P-D)  —  When the Baseball Writers Association of America announces the winner of its National League Most Valuable Player Award on Tuesday, it is anticipated Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols will get the call.

Expect Simms to start vs. Chargers  —  Barring an overnight medical miracle that heals Kyle Orton's bum ankle, Chris Simms will be the Broncos' starting quarterback Sunday against the San Diego Chargers with sole possession of the AFC West lead at stake.  —  Simms has practiced all week.

Marlins' Johnson facing one-year deal  —  Seeking four years, ace forced to settle for short-term solution  —  MIAMI — A couple of conversations that lasted roughly a half hour appear to have changed Josh Johnson's long-term future with the Marlins.  —  Talks between the Marlins and Matt Sosnick …