Red Sox “At Or Near” The Top Of Scutaro's List  —  The Red Sox are eyeing Marco Scutaro and, according to the Boston Herald, the interest is mutual.  The shortstop's agent, Peter Greenberg, told Michael Silverman and John Tomase that Scutaro likes the idea of playing in Boston.

White Sox sign Jones to one-year deal  —  The Chicago White Sox have signed outfielder Andruw Jones to a one-year contract for $500,000, with a chance to make $1 million in performance bonuses.  —  Jones, a five-time All-Star, spent the 2009 season with the Texas Rangers after being released …

Putting the pieces back together  —  Clinical depression had sent pitcher Justin Duchscherer's life, career into a tailspin  —  Duchscherer was so “overwhelmed” he began to wonder if he should continue playing baseball.  —  A pitcher's manhood is routinely defined by what he throws instead of who he really is.

McCutchen earns Topps rookie honors  —  Bucs center fielder recognized for remarkable first year  —  For his superb first year in the Major Leagues, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen was named as part of the 2009 Topps All-Rookie All-Star team on Wednesday.

Phils sign four to Minor League deals  —  Wise tops quartet of players with Spring Training invites  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have agreed to terms on Minor League contracts with four players, according to a source.  The players will have invitations to Spring Training:

Minor League Transactions  —  Previous installment: Nov. 6-17 … Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Traded: LHP Scott Maine and 1B Ryne White to Cubs for RHP Aaron Heilman  —  Added to 40-man roster: RHP Roque Mercedes, RHP Daniel Stange, LHP Jordan Norberto, OF Cole Gillespie  —  Atlanta Braves

For baseball and community, thanks  —  Great games, great charity go hand in hand in 2009  —  Thanks to the 73,367,659 fans who attended Major League Baseball games in 2009.  —  Thanks to the ballplayers who keep us coming back for every pitch and every year.

Castro joins team as backup  —  Veteran utility infielder Juan Castro agreed to terms on Tuesday to be the Phillies' new Eric Bruntlett.  Agent Oscar Suarez thinks the Phillies are getting a whole lot more than an upgrade for their bench.  —  “This guy is a heck of a leader,” …

MOYER HOSPITALIZED (UPDATED)  —  On Thanksgiving eve, we have received word, via text message, from the Phillies that Jamie Moyer has been readmitted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital with what the team is terming “recurring symptoms from his groin surgery” in October.

A pro athlete's lament: U.S. health care discriminates  —  If baseball and health care were thrust into a formal logic argument, it might look like this: … The above argument might be valid, but it's not true.  The majority of professional baseball players are minor leaguers, and we certainly aren't rich.

Good call II by Mets on Collins  —  I'm going to give the Mets props twice in the same day?  I must be going soft — or the Metsies, for once, are using their heads.  Bringing ex-Bisons manager Terry Collins on board as field coordinator, a move announced Tuesday night, is a terrific choice on several fronts.