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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.