Another stealth pursuit for Red Sox?  —  The Red Sox, who maintained radio silence before signing free-agent pitcher John Lackey and were almost as circumspect in their pursuit of free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre before signing him, are conducting another stealth operation …

World Series champs against Japanese champs?  It could happen  —  We were just talking about what moves Bud Selig might make to bolster his legacy before he steps down as baseball's commissioner in 2012, so it probably comes as no surprise that he's thinking big.  —  Like, globally big.

Cust re-signs with A's  —  I just heard from a source close to the negotiations that DH Jack Cust will return to the A's on a one-year deal worth just over $2.5 million, with incentives that can push the total to close to $3 million.  —  So the A's will have at least some pop in their lineup next year …

Buzz: The Mets plan for Pitching  —  In case you missed it...  Earlier today, in this post, I revealed the Mets interest in free-agent RHP John Smoltz, who is willing to pitch in the bullpen, as well as how the team hopes to approach free-agent RHP Joel Pineiro, who may need to settle on a short-term deal...

Tony La Russa's ‘dream’: Mark McGwire as pinch hitter  —  Mark McGwire is returning to baseball this season as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach.  Could he also be making a cameo as a player, too?  —  In an interview with the Contra Costa Times, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa mentioned …

Draft Grades, 2005-08  —  Below are the latest Draft Report Card grades for each team from 2005-08, which are explained in detail in the 2010 Prospect Handbook.  Grades are based solely on the quality of the draftees signed, and not on the number of picks added/lost through free-agent compensation …

Hold your head up, Dewey Evans  —  There were 539 members of the BBWAA who cast ballots for the Hall of Fame and I would imagine there were 539 different methods used to determine who deserved a vote.  Based on the results yesterday, some of those methods include large quantities of bourbon.

Webb eyeing rebound after lost 2009  —  Righty missed nearly all of last season, but is confident he'll be healthy again in '10  —  With all due respect to John Lackey, Randy Wolf, Rich Harden, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, Doug Davis and Jon Garland, this will not go down as the free-agent winter …

Blue Jays claim Bocock off waivers  —  Shortstop recently designated for assignment by Giants  —  The Blue Jays claimed shortstop Brian Bocock off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.  —  Bocock was designated for assignment by San Francisco recently to make room on the 40-man roster for the Juan Uribe signing.

Long already hard at work with Yankees  —  Hitting coach puts time in with Swisher; Granderson on deck  —  NEW YORK — While the rest of baseball clings to its last weeks of Hot Stove hibernation, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long has already rolled into the new season …

Ask Boswell: Mike Shanahan, Redskins, Gilbert Arenas suspension, MLB Hall of Fame and more  —  The transcript follows.  —  Arlington, Va.: Mr. Boswell:  —  I think Gilbert Arenas is great.  I love his play, love that he's a goofball, love that he's different from so many milquetoast professional athletes …

Rangers sign Brown to minor league deal  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have signed free agent infielder Matt Brown to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.  —  Brown, primarily a third baseman, appeared in 15 games over 2007 and 2008 for the Los Angeles Angels …