Shaughnessy compares steroids to Hitler.  I think.  —  Thank God we finally have Dan “the voice of reason” Shaughnessy's take on the McGwire business.  Take it away, Dan: … See, Shaugnessy is dead-on with this.  There were clear, rational incentives to take steroids.

Branyan ready to move on from Mariners  —  Slugger had hoped to sign long-term deal in Seattle  —  The first thing Russell Branyan did after hearing that the Mariners had acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman was call general manager Jack Zduriencik.  —  And thank him for last season.

Precedent-Setting Deal With Florida Marlins Over Revenue-Sharing Has Broad Implications  —  For years now, there have been questions surrounding whether MLB's collectively bargained revenue-sharing policy has had a loophole in it as wide as centerfield at Minute Maid Park.

Yost hired by Royals as advisor  —  Former Brewers manager has Atlanta connection  —  KANSAS CITY — Ned Yost, former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, has been hired by the Royals as a special advisor to baseball operations.  —  Yost, 54, who managed the Brewers from 2003 to Sept. 15 …

Minicamp: Pirates moving toward three relievers  —  Dotel, Carrasco, another on horizon; Church will get $1.5 million  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates' contract with free-agent outfielder Ryan Church — one year, $1.5 million — is expected to be completed this morning …

Myers blasts Phillies  —  Matt Gelb here, still with the keys while Andy's on vacation...  If you're counting, that's two former pitchers who have left the Phillies with a bitter taste this offseason.  —  First, it was Cliff Lee, who said his initial reaction to being traded from Philadelphia …

Non-McGwire topics in today's Cards chat  —  Here are some questions and answers about the Cardinals — and unrelated to the Mark McGwire situation — from today's “Joe Strauss Live” chat:  —  Q.: Market for Ankiel?  Would Cards give him a one-year deal for a low salary?

The Mets you love to hate  —  So I was doing really good with my New Year's Resolution of laying off the Mets.  —  The year is almost two weeks old, and aside from reporting what a Yankee fan said to me, I have yet to take a cheap shot at the Boys in Queens.  —  But, all good things must come to an end.

Another name for the non-roster invite list  —  There's been no official release from the organization, but the Yankees online roster lists a new name among the non-roster invitees: Right-handed pitcher Zack Segovia.  —  I actually remember Segovia from my time covering the Phillies organization.

Pirates Add Church  —  The Pirates added Ryan Church on a one-year contract on Tuesday that will pay the outfielder a 1.5 million dollar base salary which could reach up to 2.8 million if all plate appearance-based incentives are reached.  Church should become the team's 4th outfielder …

Minnesota Twins Top 10 Prospects  —  Minnesota Twins … The Twins experienced a slew of firsts and lasts in 2009, most notably wrapping up the final season in the Metrodome with a dramatic playoff run.  —  The hermetically sealed Dome had its warts, but it also provided one of sport's great home-field advantages.

Orioles: Hill appears headed elsewhere  —  While the Orioles have re-signed a couple of their players from last year to minor league deals, it does not appear that Rich Hill will be one of them.  Earlier this offseason, the Orioles offered the left-handed starter a minor league pact …

Yankees' Damon fund dries up  —  The Yankees have signed lefty reliever Royce Ring and outfielders Reid Gorecki and David Winfree to minor-league contracts.  Meanwhile, their chances to re-sign Johnny Damon remained remote.  —  The Yankees are telling agents they only have $2 million, at most, to spend on a left fielder.