New York Mets might make pitch to ex-Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang  —  The Mets are scouring the pitching market and have been in touch with Ben Sheets since they watched him at his throwing session in Louisiana on Tuesday.  Another possible starting option is Chien-Ming Wang …

Nats interested in free agent Jacobs  —  Slugging first baseman struggled with Royals last season  —  Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday on the MLB Network that he has interest in free-agent first baseman Mike Jacobs.  —  How Jacobs would fit in with the Nationals is a mystery.

Royals Reach Agreement With Rick Ankiel  —  The Royals reached an agreement with outfielder Rick Ankiel on a one-year, $3.25MM deal, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.  The contract has a second-year mutual option worth $6MM.  Back on December 10th, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweeted that Scott Boras wanted three years …

WHAT HAPPENED WITH JASON BAY AND THE RED SOX  —  It was supposed to be the payoff for years of hard work and production.  Instead, Jason Bay's foray into free agency was nine months of chaos that still leaves the outfielder shaking his head.  —  The end of the story had Jason Bay standing …

Source: The Phillies sign Shane Victorino for 3 years, $22 million  —  A source is telling me that the Phillies and Shane Victorino have reached a deal on a three-year, $22 million contract.  The team could announce it as early as tomorrow.  Jim Salisbury had reported earlier this week …

Mesa unveils plan to keep Cubs; vote Monday  —  Mesa has a deal to keep the Chicago Cubs — and all it needs is for the team to sign it.  In what could be a telling decision by the team's executives, the Cubs told Mesa they will decide on an $84 million baseball complex shortly after the City Council formally endorses the deal Monday.

Jack of all trades: M's GM building a winner  —  Zduriencik has acquired Figgins, Lee; extended Felix this winter  —  Barely a week has gone by this offseason without the Seattle Mariners making news.  Big news.  —  The Hot Stove league had just started to simmer when they announced the signing of All-Star infielder Chone Figgins.

In Response to Murray Chass  —  Recently, former New York Times journalist and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Murray Chass took to the pages of his blog titled Murray Chass On Baseball to discuss Hall of Fame voting.  He addressed an array of topics, from Hall voting eliciting strong opinions …

More Book Excerpts  —  More excerpts from the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book, for your reading enjoyment.  Remember that the actual comments in the book come with stats and a list of previous grades for that player.  —  Jai Miller, OF, Florida Marlins  —  Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-4 WT: 195 DOB: January 17, 1985

AP Interview: Jenkins wants more McGwire apologies  —  Buzz up!  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Ferguson Jenkins says Mark McGwire owes an apology to all those pitchers who gave up his home runs.  —  The Hall of Fame ace sent an open letter to The Associated Press this week, telling the former home-run king …

Center Field Defense: A Closer Look  —  Last year my TotalZone ratings gave Torii Hunter an excellent +12 rating.  Due to an injury Torii only played 115 games in center, most of the other starts went to Gary Matthews Jr., who TotalZone absolutely hated out there for a -18 rating in only 435 innings.

Once veering off wrong track, Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera stands up to alcohol problem  —  DETROIT — Change can't come without a willing heart, and Miguel Cabrera wore his on his sleeve Thursday.  —  The Detroit Tigers first baseman admitted to a problem with alcohol during …

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