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.

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.

A's offer righty Duchscherer arbitration  —  Team would get sandwich pick if two-time All-Star leaves  —  OAKLAND — The A's on Tuesday offered arbitration to free-agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer, a formality that ensures the team will receive a compensatory pick in the 2010 …

Tommy Henrich, whose heroics with NY Yankees earned him the nickname ‘Old Reliable,’ dies at 96 … NEW YORK — Tommy Henrich, whose 11-year career with the Yankees earned him the nickname “Old Reliable,” died in Dayton, Ohio, early Tuesday morning.  He was 96 and was believed to be the oldest living Yankee.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discouraging Dodgers dole a zero on arbitration offers  —  Dylan Hernandez of The Times has the details.  The Dodgers' decision potentially costs them two first-round draft picks in the 2010 draft, given the likelihood of Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf turning down the salary arbitration offers.

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 …

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.