Shouse gets minor-league deal with Red Sox; Rays don't get extra draft pick  —  There apparently was no formal announcement, but former Rays LHP Brian Shouse signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox last week.  —  That's not good for the Rays - not because they'll have to face him …

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.

Nats' Guzman could stay at shortstop  —  Washington remains in market for second baseman  —  If the Nationals are able to sign Orlando Hudson or Adam Kennedy to play second base, Cristian Guzman most likely will remain at shortstop.  —  The Nationals also could trade Guzman to make room …

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 …

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.

Yankee Stadium to host wine tasting  —  Sonoma-Cutrer holding Adams' final event at NYY Steak  —  NEW YORK — Some might argue that the intersection of 161st St. and River Ave. in the Bronx is the baseball capital of the world.  —  Seems that intersection stays pretty busy during the winter months, as well.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Why You Shouldn't Bet on Baseball  —  Alternative title to this post: Why Tango Tiger still has a day job  —  I really enjoyed the feedback to my last article on why umpires should be biased in favor of control pitchers.  Most of the folks with a solid statistical background responded favorably …