Dodgers, Kemp Agree To Two-Year Deal  —  The Dodgers and Matt Kemp agreed to terms today on a two-year contract worth nearly $11MM.  The deal, which the sides have been working on all week, is pending a physical.  Kemp is arbitration-eligible for the first time, so the Dodgers …

Let's quiet the Damon talk  —  As we head toward the weekend, I still haven't gained any reason to think any different about the possibility of the Braves signing Johnny Damon.  —  There's no doubt that Damon could benefit the Braves from an offensive perspective.

New York Mets GM Omar Minaya says ‘no problem’ between team and Carlos Beltran over knee surgery  —  The fence-mending has begun for the Mets - Omar Minaya said he had a “good conversation” with Carlos Beltran Friday and the GM stressed that there is “no problem between the New York Mets and Carlos Beltran” …

How about Baldelli?  —  While we still believe that Xavier Nady would ultimately be the best solution to fill the Yankees' need for a corner outfielder/right-handed hitter, Rocco Baldelli might be the next best choice (considering the Yanks' need and their hard-line budget).

‘Fakes, phonies, creeps, cheaters’  —  (J.B. Forbes/PD and Otto Gruele/Allsport)  —  Former Cardinals slugger Jack Clark apparently isn't enamored of the current hitting coach, especially in light of Mark McGwire's admission a few days ago that he had used steroids in 1998-99 when he played …

Griffin: Jays overcame some tough odds  —  On Dec. 12, the Blue Jays were within 48 hours of keeping Roy Halladay for the 2010 season and having to settle for two compensation draft picks in the June 2011 draft.  —  The Phillies' offer of Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis D'Arnaud …

Incentives for J.J.  —  There is some extra incentive for Josh Johnson and the Marlins to have a good season.  —  Johnson, who reached agreement Thursday on a four-year, $39 million contract, has some attractive bonuses attached to the deal.  —  If the soon-to-be 26-year-old wins the Cy Young Award, he will collect a $500,000 bonus.

Tribe signs Redmond to be backup backstop  —  The Indians have signed 38-year-old Mike Redmond to a one-year contract to be their backup catcher.  It is their first Major League free agent signing this offseason, and it brings their 40-man roster total to 39.

‘Great exchange of ideas’ to advance game  —  Commissioner, Special Committee discuss variety of topics  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The first Special Committee meeting called by Commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday afternoon began at 2 p.m. MT and lasted four hours.

Closer's in.  Now what?  Damon?  —  Now that the Tigers have agreed to terms with closer Jose Valverde, they're expected to take one more look at upgrading their offense.  If they're going to make an upgrade, it's most likely going to be in the outfield.If they're going to go for an outfielder …

Thief posed as Chicago Cub, charges say  —  A Nevada man is accused of posing as a Major League Baseball player to steal a car.  —  Matthew T. Van Meter, 24, is charged in Utah state court with felony counts of theft and forgery.  Charging papers accuse Van Meter, of Elko., Nev. …

Sources: La. Tech's Dooley on verge of becoming Tennessee Volunteers' coach … Tennessee officials flew into Ruston, La., on Friday afternoon to visit with Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley in a meeting that could finalize the deal with Dooley as the Vols' next head coach.

Al Groh named Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator  —  Former Virginia head coach Al Groh will become the next defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.  —  Groh said Friday that he and the school have an agreement in principle, but did not disclose terms of the contract.