Yankees' spring plans for Joba, Hughes  —  The Yankees are planning to go to spring training with Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain being programmed to start.  “They can always go from starting to the bullpen, but it's tough going the other way,” says Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Third time is charming for MVP Pujols  —  Cardinals slugger unanimous selection for NL honors  —  ST. LOUIS — This wasn't an announcement.  It was a coronation.  Then again, a case could be made that the entire 2009 season fit that description for Albert Pujols.

Miguel Cabrera joins Tigers' trade talks  —  Opening bids for Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson have plainly been underwhelming, or Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers president and general manager known for a fast trigger-finger, would by now have dealt at least one of two star players on the block during …

Agent says White Sox show interest in Coco Crisp  —  The White Sox have expressed interest in free agent and longtime nemesis Coco Crisp, according to his agent.  —  “I have talked to (general manager) Kenny Williams on a preliminary basis,” Steve Compte said Tuesday.  “We're going to be a little patient.

Braves agree to terms with pitcher Juan Abreu  —  Right-hander added to Club's 40-man roster  —  ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves have agreed to terms on a Major League contract with six-year minor league free-agent pitcher Juan Abreu.  Formerly of the Kansas City Royals system …

Angels and Dodgers look into acquiring Toronto's Roy Halladay  —  Both clubs are interested in the ace right-hander, although the possibility of the Dodgers landing him is called ‘a long shot.’  —  Roy Halladay, a 32-year-old right-hander, has a 148-76 record and 3.43 earned-run average in 11 big league seasons.

Yankees Sign Dominican OF Moronta  —  Nearly two months after Major League Baseball lifted his suspension, Dominican center fielder Eladio Moronta has signed with the Yankees, a team official confirmed today.  —  MLB had suspended Moronta for one year earlier this year for misrepresenting his age …

Phillies and Castro agree to deal  —  He doesn't have a beard.  But the Phillies apparently think Juan Castro can replace Eric Bruntlett in other regards.  A source familiar with talks between the club and the veteran infielder said the two sides have agreed in principle on a one-year major league deal …

Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out  —  Last Friday, when Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik announced that Dustin Ackley would begin working out at second base, he took great pains to state that this has little to do with incumbent second baseman Jose Lopez.  —  On the surface, that may be true.

Could Lincecum file for $23 million at arbitration?  —  is due a large raise.  —  Fortunately, baseball has a system in place for the occasion.  —  It's called salary arbitration, and Lincecum has been around just long enough to qualify for the first time.

Pittsburgh Pirates Top 10 Prospects  —  Pittsburgh Pirates … After Neal Huntington became Pirates general manager late in the 2007 season, it didn't take him long to understand what the organization needed: young talent and lots of it.  Pittsburgh not only had a bad major league team …

Jimmy Clausen involved in altercation outside a South Bend, Ind., bar  —  Source says Notre Dame QB suffered a black eye  —  Jimmy Clausen avoids a sack by Connecticut's Twyon Martin and Jesse Joseph.  (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images / November 21, 2009)  —  As a tumultuous season draws …