Red Sox, Scutaro agree to two-year deal  —  Veteran shortstop has physical scheduled for Friday  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox have come to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent shortstop Marco Scutaro, MLB.com has learned through a source close to the situation.

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.

Brennaman named ‘new’ TV broadcaster  —  Son of HOF voice handling primary play-by-play duties  —  CINCINNATI — The new Reds television play-by-play person isn't really new at all.  In fact, he will be immediately familiar and recognizable to fans.  —  That's because the club announced …

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 …

Mets sign Chris Coste, Henry Blanco  —  Chris Coste is burning bridges with Mets fans before he's even crossed them.  —  The ex-Phillies catcher/first baseman signed with the Mets yesterday, just three days after expressing disdain for his new team in an interview with a Philadelphia sports Web site.

The Yankees Are Eating Our Blog Name  —  Yup, I just received a cease and desist.  Unbelievable.  Here is the money quote: … Blog name ideas?

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.

Rockies hoping to strengthen rotation, 'pen  —  Club eyes improvements to staff as Winter Meetings approach  —  Club needs:  —  ROTATION: In a sense, the Rockies are in excellent shape.  Left-hander Jeff Francis struggled through soreness in 2008 and missed '09 after shoulder surgery, but he is healthy.

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 …

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.

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 …

Brewers Planning Offer For Counsell  —  The Brewers plan to present an offer to utility infielder Craig Counsell, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  The interest is mutual, but ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted back on November 16th that at least a dozen teams …

Two costly?  —  The Cardinals' Plan B for this winter is increasingly starting to sound like Plan A.  —  Concerned about the long-term impact of retaining free agent left fielder Matt Holliday while also signing first baseman and three-time NL Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols to an extension …

Fire official says Molina's car was on fire  —  The Edgewater Volunteer Fire Department dispatched three fire trucks to a car fire inside the Edgewater Mariner parking lot on River Road Nov. 5.  The first fire engine to arrive on the scene, the EW-2, was able to hit the hydrant just past the burning vehicle …

Polanco signs with Phillies, will shift to third base … PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Placido Polanco is putting aside his Gold Glove and switching positions to have a chance at winning a championship.  —  Polanco returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, agreeing to a three-year, $18 million contract.