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.

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 …

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.

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.

Chapman deal months in the making  —  Reds' approach focused on scouting, selling situation  —  CINCINNATI — Before their bold and surprising signing of Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, the Reds didn't even garner a mention during the majority of the bidding process — at least not until the very end.

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 …

Source: Los Angeles Dodgers join pursuit of righty Joel Pineiro  —  The Dodgers, who are still looking for a proven starting pitcher to bolster their rotation, have joined the pursuit of free agent Joel Pineiro.  But they might be running out of time to sign the veteran right-hander …

Nationals have interest in Kennedy  —  Club's first option for second base remains Hudson  —  If the Nationals are not able to acquire Orlando Hudson, look for them to set their sights on Adam Kennedy to play second base, according to a baseball source.  —  Kennedy is a person Washington …

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.