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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

Pirates, reliever Donnelly reach deal  —  Veteran righty expected to receive one-year, $1.5M pact  —  The Pirates agreed to terms on a one-year Major League contract with free-agent right-handed reliever Brendan Donnelly on Saturday, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com.

Chicago White Sox agree to terms with closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Carlos Quentin  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox on Saturday announced they have agreed to terms on one-year contracts with closer Bobby Jenks and outfielder Carlos Quentin.  —  According to a news release from the team …

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 …

What's next, Mo?  —  During the second of his standing-room-only sessions Saturday with fans at the Winter Warm-Up, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak fielded a question about how his college education prepared him for the job.  —  He explained it wasn't those business classes at the University of Colorado that did it.

Mets Organizational Decision-Making Flow Chart ver. 1  —  The latest injury fiasco lends Mets fans another window into their team's front office.  Yet, the more I read, the less I understand, so I decided to write out a flowchart on pen and paper.  Below is my tentative understanding of how the front office makes decisions.