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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.