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 …

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.

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.

Henrich, Yankees Clutch Hitter, Dies  —  Tommy Henrich, the right fielder known as Old Reliable who helped propel the Yankees to seven World Series championships, died on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio.  He was 96.  —  His death was announced by the Yankees.  —  Playing with the Yankees for 11 seasons …

Yanks elect not to offer arbitration to trio  —  No compensation for club if Damon, others sign elsewhere  —  The Yankees announced Tuesday that they will not offer arbitration to any of their eligible players by Tuesday night's deadline, meaning the club will not receive Draft pick compensation if any of the players sign elsewhere.

Polanco could've made a cash grab  —  Talked with Dave Dombrowski this afternoon about their decisions on arbitration to free agents, and his remarks echoed the sentiments that were out there.  While Dombrowski isn't bidding farewell to Polanco and plans to keep in touch with his agents …

Mariners Targeting Gregg Zaun  —  Gregg Zaun was offered arbitration by Tampa Bay today, but the free agent catcher has at least one serious suitor in the Seattle Mariners.  Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports report that the M's are looking to sign Zaun as a veteran platoon mate for prospect Adam Moore.

Shoppach, Rays close to deal  —  The Tampa Bay Rays are closing in on a deal for Kelly Shoppach of the Cleveland Indians, according to major league sources.  —  Shoppach, 29, hit .214 last season for the Indians, with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs.  He appeared in 89 games.

Cubs Choose Not to Offer Arbitration to Harden  —  Tonight is the deadline for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their free agents.  And for the Cubs, that means they have decisions to make on a handful of players, including starting pitcher Rich Harden and closer Kevin Gregg.

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.

Scott Schoeneweis' wife died of drug overdose, Arizona court discloses  —  PHOENIX — Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis' wife died from an overdose of cocaine and an anesthetic, lidocaine, an appellate court disclosed in a ruling released Tuesday.

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.