Saito close to deal with Braves  —  The Braves are close to signing free-agent reliever Takashi Saito to a one-year contract, CBSSports.com has learned.  —  The deal, which should be announced later this afternoon, is expected to be for about $3 million.  —  With Saito and Billy Wagner …

Polanco Signs Three-Year, $18 Million Deal  —  The Phillies announced Placido Polanco has signed a three-year, $18 million contract.  The contract also includes a fourth-year mutual option for 2013.  —  Polanco will meet with reporters later today.  —  Update: The Phillies also just announced …

Girardi says Pettitte is key to off-season  —  NEW YORK — To get a better idea of whether the Yankees will become a more urgent suitor for starting pitching this winter, they must receive the answer to one question first.  —  What is Andy Pettitte's status?

Sources: Free-agent shortstop Marco Scutaro holds private workout for Boston Red Sox  —  Free agent Marco Scutaro, a prime candidate to fill the Boston Red Sox's shortstop void in 2010, worked out in Florida earlier this week for one of the team's top talent evaluators, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.

Report: New York Mets close to signing San Diego Padres catcher Henry Blanco  —  The Mets appeared to be closing in on a deal with free-agent catcher Henry Blanco.  The Venezuelan newspaper “El Nacional” reported Blanco had left that country Sunday for a physical with the Mets.

Ranking baseball's best, worst farm systems … Baseball America ranks the 30 MLB farm systems twice a year — in the spring, as the minor league season is about to start, and again every December in our Prospect Handbook.  —  It's a collaborative effort, and staff members don't always agree on what constitutes a strong system.

Cubs trade Fox, Miles to Oakland  —  The Chicago Cubs traded Aaron Miles and Jake Fox to the Oakland A's for right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and minor-leaguers Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer, according to ESPNChicago.com reporter Bruce Levine.  —  The Cubs will absorb $1 million of the $2.7 million owed to Miles.

The Yankees' case for Halladay  —  The Yankees, Mets and Red Sox have spent more money in free agency over the past decade than any other teams, as ESPN's esteemed Mark Simon notes: Bi...

Mets reportedly checking on Matsui  —  According to NPBtracker's twitter, the Mets have asked to see the results of a Hideki Matsui physical.  That could be Omar Minaya simply kicking the tires and turning over every rock, or it could be legitimate interest in putting Matsui in the outfield.

This brings me no joy  —  As many of you know, my baseball loyalties lie with the Yankees.  The Evil Empire often catches a lot of flack for acting like, well, an Evil Empire.  I've defended them time and time again on the internet, to my friends, and to my eternally pessimistic dad.

Harper Passes GED  —  College of Southern Nevada catcher Bryce Harper received his GED results in the mail yesterday and “passed with flying colors,” according to CSN baseball coach and athletic director Tim Chambers.  Passing the GED was required for Harper to play with the Coyotes this spring.

Thom Brennaman Replacing George Grande on Reds TV  —  Thom Brennaman tells me that he's cutting back on his Saturday Fox TV commitments next year to become the Reds primary TV announcer.  Brennaman will replace George Grande, who retired in October after 17 seasonswith the Reds.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia injures throwing shoulder  —  Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, recovering from surgery late in the season to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, will return to Arlington after just two game in the Dominican Winter League because of pain in the surgically-repaired shoulder.