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.

Ever-confident Sheffield game for a comeback  —  The old-guy market may not be so hot this offseason, so Gary Sheffield is making sure he's not one of the old guys shut out of the 2010 season.  —  Sheffield, 41, said he has dedicated himself to a grueling workout regimen featuring mixed martial arts and boxing exercises.

A's invite McPherson to spring training  —  Free agent third baseman Dallas McPherson has agreed to terms with the Oakland A's on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training camp, his agent said.  —  McPherson  —  McPherson is expected to compete for a starting job …

Tampa Bay Rays plan to be aggressive in addressing bullpen, catcher  —  ST. PETERSBURG — With the free agency period starting last Friday, the Rays find themselves in a somewhat similar situation to last winter.  —  They like their nucleus, so they don't have many holes to fill …

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 …

Cuban fireballer now with Hendricks brothers  —  Free agent lefthander Aroldis Chapman has fired the agent who helped him defect from Cuba and signed with the Hendricks brothers.  —  The Red Sox and Yankees are among the teams most interested in the 21-year-old Chapman …

Curtis Granderson a good fit for Chicago Cubs  —  Stats don't tell whole story about center fielder who is a leader on, off field  —  Statistics are sucking the life out of baseball.  —  I know this to be true because some Cubs fans are concerned Curtis Granderson struck out too many times last year.

Trading Chad Billingsley for Roy Halladay would create more problems than it solves  —  Phil Gurnee of True Blue L.A. wrote a post I enjoyed today, “Frustrations and Celebrations,” that looked at the good and bad of the Dodgers.  A snippet of that post reflected the disappointment …

Arizona native lifts Peoria to AFL title  —  Retherford hits decisive shot; MVP Desme homers in loss  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — White Sox prospect C.J. Retherford is a local product to whom the Arizona Fall League dynasty of Phoenix meant something.  —  So bringing the Desert Dogs' dominance …

Reports: Roy Halladay won't re-sign with Toronto Blue Jays  —  Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay does not want to resign with Toronto after his contract expires after the 2010 season, according to reports.  —  Team president and CEO Paul Beeston told the New York Post that Halladay does …