Northampton grad Schneider to be a Phillie  —  It's what Brian Schneider has been waiting for.  —  After passing a physical on Tuesday, the Northampton graduate signed a free agent contract with the Phillies, his uncle, Northampton athletic director Mike Schneider said.

Pedroia interested in move back to SS  —  The condition for Dustin Pedroia's family vacation with sidekick Andre Ethier and his family was that they had to have proper workout facilities.  Ethier found a villa in Virgin Gorda with a fully-equipped weight room and tennis courts …

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay's reps say he won't accept proposed trade after spring training  —  Roy Halladay, the All-Star pitcher who has been the subject of much trade talk since before the July deadline, will not approve any proposed deal after he reports to spring training, according to his representatives.

Arbitration deadline looms large for clubs  —  Teams have until 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday to offer free agents  —  The first D-Day — Decision Day — on baseball's offseason calendar arrives Tuesday, the deadline for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents.

Sox owner wants to overhaul MLB's revenue sharing system  —  Red Sox principal owner John Henry is calling for Major League Baseball's revenue sharing system to be overhauled and replaced with a “competitive balanced payroll tax” in an effort to create competitive balance in baseball.

Hernandez deserving of Hall of Fame  —  First baseman's defense one of reasons he merits entry … The 2009 Hall of Fame ballot has arrived, and with it a delivery of angst.  —  I embrace this annual exercise, which doesn't suggest it can be completed with dispatch or without dispassionate analysis.

Sherman: Honor should be A-Rod's  —  should be A-Rod  —  FOURTEEN years into the existence of the Turn 2 Foundation, Derek Jeter finally received the Roberto Clemente Award for community service on Oct. 29.  —  Two days later, he was handed the Hank Aaron Award as the American League's top hitter.

Friars won't offer arbitration to Giles, Blanco  —  GM announces intentions before Tuesday deadline  —  SAN DIEGO — New Padres general manager Jed Hoyer said on Monday that the team, as expected, won't offer salary arbitration to free-agent outfielder Brian Giles or catcher Henry Blanco.

3UP: Damon, Cora and Jeter  —  1. The Yankees almost certainly will not offer arbitration today to Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte.  That pushes each of them a little closer to the door, specifically Damon.  —  If Damon were offered arbitration, he would have had a very difficult …

Yankees spring training schedule announced  —  Here's the press release:  —  The 2009 World Champion New York Yankees announced today they will open their 2010 Major League spring training schedule on Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

Halos share purse with Adenhart's estate  —  Team votes to split postseason winnings with late pitcher  —  ANAHEIM — Putting their money where their hearts are, the Angels have voted to send a full share of their postseason purse to the estate of Nick Adenhart, the young pitcher whose death …

FOR THE THRILL OF IT: GREGG ZAUN - THE CFL FAN!  —  Gregg Zaun was a big Baltimore fan!  Who knew?  —  What, you think I'm talking about the Baltimore Orioles, the team he spent parts of three seasons with?  No, not them.  —  Nor am I talking about the Ravens, Colts, Blast, Bullets or Burn.

Chip Caray and TBS Part Ways  —  Chip Caray's tenure as TBS's lead major league baseball announcer ended Monday when he and the cable network agreed to part ways.  —  Caray's high-volume style was mixed with a penchant for bad play calls, embellishments and factual errors.