Red Sox talking about Bay return  —  According to a team source, the Red Sox have had internal discussions about extending their organizational budget to potentially allow for another offer for free agent outfielder Jason Bay.  The discussed proposal to Bay would be in the vicinity four-year …

Yankees' Damon remains left out  —  There was a vacancy sign placed above left field at Yankee Stadium yesterday, but Johnny Damon's outlook on returning hasn't changed any.  —  On the same day the Yankees sent Melky Cabrera to the Braves as part of a deal that added Javier Vazquez to the starting rotation …

Capps, Nats agree to one-year deal  —  Right-hander will compete with Bruney for closer role  —  WASHINGTON — Right-hander Matt Capps has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Nationals, pending a physical, according to Capps and his agent, Paul Kinzer.  Monetary figures were not disclosed.

Pirates talking with Gregg  —  The Pirates have had several discussions with free agent Kevin Gregg, another of the few remaining closers on the market, according to a source involved with the talks.  —  Gregg, 31, had a 4.72 ERA in 72 appearances for the Chicago Cubs this past season.

Baseball's Top 20 Prospects … Baseball America's Prospect Handbookis going to press, and it's hard to describe the book to my non-baseball friends (a short list, but I have had a few such discussions).  It's a book of 900 scouting reports on the game's top minor league players: 30 for each of the 30 major league organizations.

Boston Red Sox Top 10 Prospects  —  Boston Red Sox … After winning the World Series in 2007 and losing in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series the following year, the Red Sox looked poised to make another title run in 2009.  —  They got off to a 51-34 start …

Troy Glaus to the Braves?  To play 1B?  Whatever, dude  —  Troy Glaus was World Series MVP.  In 2002.  Playing third base.  —  OK, there's the second move.  And it's Troy Glaus.  Excited now?  —  Me, neither.  —  Signing a guy to play first base who has barely played first base …

Source: Los Angeles Angels, Fernando Rodney agree to 2-year deal  —  Former Detroit Tigers closer Fernando Rodney and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal pending a physical, a source told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas.  —  The physical examination is scheduled to take place later Wednesday.

Inbox: Did Dodgers pursue Halladay?  —  Los Angeles fans ask about DeWitt, contracts and more  —  Did the Dodgers really try to trade for Roy Halladay?  —  Actually, they did.  Perhaps more interestingly, sources claim that the Blue Jays preferred the Dodgers as trading partners …

PADRES: Hoyer plans to be busy after new year  —  Though several free agents the Padres targeted this offseason have signed with other teams, general manager Jed Hoyer remains confident that he'll be able to upgrade the team's 40-man roster over the next two months.

Mets All-Decade Team: Catcher  —  Time for the aughts is running out, though the last Mets' baseball of the decade was played almost three months ago.  It wasn't such a bad stretch: 815-805, a game per season above .500, two NLCS appearances, one pennant, Joe McEwing.  What's not to like?

For Nick Johnson, return to NY Yankees was first choice … Nick Johnson returned to the Yankees on Wednesday, officially agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million contract to rejoin the franchise under which he was drafted and developed.  —  “Just coming back to New York, (it's) a great place to play,” Johnson said.

Eight options for the Mets, post-"Baywatch"  —  For the Mets, there are already legitimate questions about whether Jason Bay is the right investment for their ballpark.  He is a below-average defender who hits for power and Citi Field is a place where deep fly balls and subpar outfielders will suffer.