Eric Byrnes says Giants would be ‘best fit’  —  (01-16) 19:34 PST — Though Eric Byrnes said he's finally 100 percent after two injury-marred seasons, the Diamondbacks gave up on him despite owing him $11 million next season.  He could sign with another team for the minimum salary …

Ex-big leaguer Jose Offerman detained after punching umpire in winter league game  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Former major league All-Star Jose Offerman threw a punch at an umpire during an argument in a Dominican winter league game Saturday night, the second time in 2&frac12 years …

Chavez doesn't mind utility role  —  (01-16) 19:33 PST — Kevin Kouzmanoff's arrival in Oakland means that Eric Chavez, a six-time Gold Glove third baseman, essentially will become a utility player if he is healthy.  —  “I've always been open to playing anywhere,” Chavez said.

Padres close to signing another Hairston  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  —  Free-agent infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. is closing on a one-year contract with the Padres, according to a major-league source.

McGwire cheered by fans, evades steroid questions  —  Buzz up!  —  ST. LOUIS (AP)—Mark McGwire received a standing ovation from Cardinals fans Sunday in his first public appearance in St. Louis since admitting he used steroids.  —  His scheduled news conference, only minutes later, was much more combative.

Job market for Thome remains in flux  —  Rays, other AL teams may be fit for 19-year veteran slugger  —  PEORIA, Ill. — Jim Thome has celebrated quite a few memorable “firsts” during the course of his illustrious 19-year-career.  —  There was the first of his 2,138 hits …

Baltimore Orioles show interest in Joe Crede  —  (KELLEY CHINN, McClatchy-Tribune / August 18, 2009)  —  The Orioles are talking to Joe Crede (above) — a curious development given they already have two right-handed-hitting third basemen in Ty Wigginton and Garrett Atkins and a solid DH option in Luke Scott .

Bug Selig targets small-market teams to spend revenue-sharing dollars on players  —  One can only imagine how painful it must have been last week for Bud Selig to tell his small-market brethren, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and his stepson president David Samson, to pony up on the payroll …

Chicago Cubs plan massive restructuring of Wrigley Field  —  Wrigley 20-14 project includes major construction in and around park as part of ‘triangle building’  —  A 2005 sketch of a proposed Wrigley Field expansion project under Tribune Co. The Ricketts family wants to complete something similar by 2014.

Baseball Canada honours Justin Morneau on wall of fame at annual awards banquet  —  TORONTO — Justin Morneau's addition to Baseball Canada's Wall of Excellence alongside boyhood idol Larry Walker isn't the only reason he was feeling good Saturday.  —  The Minnesota Twins first baseman …

Troy Tulowitzki at head of class  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  With all due respect to Evan Longoria, Justin Upton and Matt Wieters, the best young player in baseball right now is playing shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.  —  It's fair to say that Troy Tulowitzki …

Sox avoid arbitration with Jenks, Quentin  —  Only remaining eligible players now include Danks, Pena  —  The White Sox avoided arbitration with two of their eligible players on Saturday, agreeing to one-year contracts with closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Carlos Quentin.

Minor league deals signed  —  Jorge Sosa, who appeared in 18 games for the Washington Nationals last season, is among seven free agents signed to minor league contracts by the Red Sox and invited to spring training.  —  Along with lefthanded reliever Brian Shouse, whose name came to light this week …