Los Angeles Dodgers re-sign Vicente Padilla  —  The Dodgers finally completed their search for a fourth starter, re-signing Vicente Padilla to a one-year, $5.025 million contract after the veteran right-hander became a key member of their starting rotation down the stretch last season.

Prospectus Q and A: Jack Zduriencik by David Laurila  —  Jack Zduriencik … David Laurila: Is it fun being a big-league general manager?  —  Jack Zduriencik: Well, I don't know if I look at it quite like that, but I enjoy my job.  I've always enjoyed my jobs, so I've been fortunate in that respect.

Red Sox sign five to minor-league deals  —  According to the latest Baseball America Transactions log, the Red Sox have added five more players to minor-league deals.  Those players are:  —RHP Chad Paronto: The 34-year-old right-hander and native of Haverhill, NH, appeared in six big-league games …

The Orioles might be movin' on up  —  Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason of every MLB team before spring training begins in mid-February.  Our series continues at No. 21 with the Baltimore Orioles.  —  2009 record: 64-98  —  Finish: Fifth place in American League East

Few spots left for remaining free agents  —  From Ben Sheets to Orlando Hudson to Johnny Damon, many players still eyeing jobs  —  Matt Holliday, John Lackey, Jason Bay and Chone Figgins all got their money.  But when more than 100 free agents and December non-tenders are still job hunting in late January …

Angels reach 2-year deal with free-agent Pineiro … Right-hander Joel Pineiro, one of the top free-agent pitchers remaining on the market, has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, sources told SI.com  —  The contract is $16 million for two years.

Phillies sign Blanton to $24 million extension  —  Right-hander avoids arbitration with three-year deal  —  The Phillies have signed Joe Blanton to a three-year, $24 million contract extension, a team-issued news released announced on Thursday.  The deal takes care of the right-hander's final year …

Seeds let your lawn grow like Fenway's  —  Boston Red Sox [team stats] fans will soon have everything they need - short of a dedicated groundskeeping crew - to grow grass exactly like the perfect turf at Fenway Park [map].  —  The Scotts Co. yesterday unveiled a grass-seed product that …

Q&A w/ Former MLB Pitcher Jim Bouton  —  Last month, former Major League pitcher Jim Bouton was gracious enough to take 30 minutes of his time to speak with me in a phone interview for an article about the transformation and evolution of the media that was published today on the LA-based Neon Tommy web site.

Braves Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Two-Star Prospects  —  Four More:  —  12. J.J. Hoover, RHP: An over-slot 10th-round pick from 2008, Hoover showed excellent control and an impressive sinker/slider mix in his full-season debut.

Rockies sign Payton, Lo Duca  —  Veterans to seek returns to Majors at Spring Training  —  DENVER — Outfielder Jay Payton posted a career-high batting average during his 1 1/2-year stint with the Rockies.  He'll try to revisit those days in 2010.  —  The Rockies signed Payton …

Pirates, Dotel agree to one-year contract plus option  —  Veteran reliever almost surely will be team's closer to replace Capps  —  The Pirates and free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel agreed to terms on a one-year contract plus a club option for 2011, a source directly involved in the talks told the Post-Gazette tonight.

Tim Floyd says he left USC because of athletic director, not O.J. Mayo scandal  —  They were reunited Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena, the coach who brought him to the national stage and the youngster who has made his mark upon it.  —  New Orleans Hornets lead assistant Tim Floyd …

Tim Leiper named manager of 2010 Jacksonville Suns  —  Florida Marlins promote manager from Single-A Jupiter last season  —  Former Jacksonville Suns infielder Tim Leiper is returning to the team.  This time, he'll be in charge.  —  The Florida Marlins announced a new managerial staff for the 2010 Suns.

Griffin: Spaceman gives thumbs up to Hawk in Hall  —  It was time once again, as it is every January, to check in with the Spaceman for some balanced baseball wisdom.  There has been some surprising rancour and statistical controversy the past two Hall-of-Fame elections over the legitimacy of both Jim Rice …

Gumbel's steroids commentary on McGwire also cites Bagwell  —  While I enjoy HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, I generally watch the advance DVD that I receive each week from producers rather than viewing the show as it airs.  Accordingly, I never see Gumbel's closing commentary unless I have a reason to watch a re-air of the show.