Yankees talk to Johnson about vacant DH role  —  The Yankees and Nick Johnson are talking about the sweet-swinging lefty and on-base machine replacing Hideki Matsui as the World Champions' DH on a one-year deal.  —  If a deal is completed, it would be an indication the Yankees will part with Johnny Damon …

O's nearing deal with reliever Gonzalez  —  Free agent was 5-4 with 2.42 ERA, 10 saves last season for Braves  —  Looking to solidify the back end of their bullpen, the Orioles are nearing an agreement on a two-year deal with free agent left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez, according to industry sources.

Red Sox take aim at Adrian Gonzalez  —  The Red Sox are not done yet.  —  The team, set to announce the signings of free-agent right-hander John Lackey and center fielder Mike Cameron, is working hard to obtain Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, according to major-league sources.

New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects  —  New York Yankees … Every Yankees team is measured against the amazing, rich history of the franchise, the most championship-laden in American team sports.  —  The standard for success is clear.  Anything less than a World Series title is a failure.

Roy Halladay-Cliff Lee Trade Finalized  —  3:27pm: Over at BlueJays.com, Blue Jays Alex Anthopoulos talked about the players the Jays received in the Halladay deal, as well as recent signing John Buck.  A few notes: Anthopoulos sees Wallace as a first baseman, and he has still has ongoing trade talks about other players.

Godzilla Rocks Southern California  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  There's a line about Godzilla in the 1998 Hollywood remake that goes: “He's not some monster trying to evade you... If you find what he wants, then he'll come to you.”  This week baseball's Godzilla found the contract he wanted …

Mets tweak offer to Bay, eye Holliday … Moving aggressively to try to secure a power-hitting left fielder, the Mets tweaked their offer to Jason Bay to give him a five-year option and are getting back into the ballgame for Matt Holliday, as well, SI.com has learned.

Pirates talk to Kelly Johnson  —  The Pirates are interested in free-agent outfielder/second baseman Kelly Johnson, an industry source confirmed this afternoon.  —  Johnson, who will turn 28 in February, became a free agent Saturday after being non-tendered by Atlanta.

Lowe resigned to likelihood of trade  —  Righty regards late-season woes as Braves' motivation  —  ATLANTA — When Derek Lowe entered this offseason, he found himself frustrated by an inability to correct his mechanical flaws and was determined to be more of an asset to the Braves during the final three years of his contract.

Dodgers Add Carroll-ing to Holiday Plans  —  More photos » by Gail Burton - AP  —  The Dodgers have signed utility man Jamey Carroll to a two-year contract, pending a physical, per Buster Olney of ESPN.  Carroll, who bats right-handed, will likely be Blake DeWitt's caddy at second base in 2010 …

Marlins Stadium Update No. 3 Cheers (Public Art edition)  —  Florida Marlins owner and art dealer Jeffrey Loria has promised his team's new ballpark will be a work of art and unlike any other baseball stadium.  That's why he's focused on creating a modernist structure of sleek white stucco, silver metal and glass.

MLB sets up mechanism that could ban DH  —  (Jim Prisching, Associated Press / November 19, 2009)  —  Commissioner sets up non-binding rules' committee  —  On Baseball  —  Is the designated hitter rule finally on its way out with Major League Baseball?