Mark DeRosa signs with San Francisco Giants, spurns New York Yankees  —  The Yankees viewed free agent Mark DeRosa as potential help in left field and an unbeatable super-utility option.  But DeRosa, a Bergen Catholic product, agreed to a preliminary two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants Monday night …

Bruney eager for ‘challenge’ with Nats  —  Former Yankees reliever to compete for club's closer role … MLB.com: What was your reaction when you found out that you were traded to the Nationals?  —  Brian Bruney: I feel good being a National.  I think there is a better opportunity for me there.

Note: Major Mets Update from Francesa Tomorrow  —  Today on WFAN, Mike Francesa said he will give a ‘major, major update on the Mets,’ during tomorrow's show. … Updated at 7:56 pm: … Updated at 9:52 pm:  —  ...i listened to it again, and mike's statement can also be interpreted …

How do baseball players age?  (Part 2)  —  In my last article, I used the “delta method” to analyze the relative performance of ballplayers as they age.  Let's address a major issue in this approach and attempt to correct for it.  The major issue in question is known as...  Survivor bias

The best of the decade: MLB … Judging by headlines alone, it was one of baseball's darkest decades.  But in almost every other sense, it was one of the sport's best.  —  The 2000s were dominated by steroids and everything we learned about them: how widespread they were, who juiced, who was responsible and how it impacted the game.

Nationals Agree to Terms with 1B Josh Whitesell and INF Eric Bruntlett on Minor-League Deals  —  The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Whitesell and infielder Eric Bruntlett on 2010 minor-league contracts that include invitations to big league Spring Training.

For the Long-Term Investors  —  Last week, we discussed when bad teams should attempt to sign free agents.  The primary scenarios in which this makes sense are when the team stands an outside chance of competing, and when there also will be a valuable market for that player at the trade deadline …

D-backs not done yet  —  The D-backs have solidified their bullpen and given their starting rotation a new look this offseason.  —  Their work, however, is not done yet.  —  With about $3 million left in their budget, the D-backs have an offer out to free agent Kelly Johnson and expect …

Xavier Nady & Damaso Marte to the Yankees  —  Based upon the staggering number of responses I've received to my most recent post about the Pirates, I'm thinking of re-naming jeffpearlman.com piratereport.com.  Unfortunately, that'd decrease my readership (hanging strong at about 2,000 per day) to, oh, 150 clicks.

Chicago Cubs are interested in former White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras  —  As the new year approaches, the Chicago White Sox seem to have only one more important move to make while their crosstown rivals are in the planning stages of what needs to be done to bring them back to elite status.