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 …

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.

Bombers brass meet in Tampa to talk options  —  Armed with reports on every player the Yankees have an interest in, Brian Cashman will chair an organizational meeting today in Tampa.  —  Hal and Hank Steinbrenner met with financial gurus, club president Randy Levine and COO Lonn Trost …

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 …

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.

Mets sign catcher/first baseman Chris Coste  —  The New York Mets today announced that they have signed catcher/first baseman Chris Coste to a one-year contract and have added him to the 40-man roster.  —  Coste, 36, spilt the 2009 season between Philadelphia and Houston, batting .224 with two home runs and 18 RBI.

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.

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.

New York Mets' seating chart, pricing too much to decipher  —  The Mets' individual ticket sales matrix for 2010 is available, even though you can't purchase single-game seats until late winter.  The good news is that prices have been cut by about 10%, on average.

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.

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.

Possible return of Nady among recent inquiries  —  Villone, Crosby also added to Pirates' free-agent checklist  —  An X-Man sequel?  —  The Pirates have made initial inquiries on free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady, as well as reliever Ron Villone and shortstop Bobby Crosby …