A's sign Ben Sheets  —  Free agent right-hander Ben Sheets has signed with the A's, CBSSports.com has learned.  —  Sheets agreed to terms on a one-year deal for $10 million, plus incentives.  He passed a physical today, and the deal is expected to be announced this afternoon.

Yankees deal for outfielder Golson  —  Infielder Hilligoss sent to Rangers to complete trade  —  The Yankees added to their outfield depth Tuesday, acquiring Greg Golson in a trade with the Texas Rangers.  —  New York, which gave up Minor League infielder Mitch Hilligoss in the deal …

New York Mets eye upgrades as John Smoltz, catchers on radar  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - When Johan Santana delivers the first pitch of the Mets' season on April 5, Omir Santos very well could be behind the plate to receive the offering.  What's more, John Smoltz could follow Santana in the rotation.

The Chicago Cubs appear to be close to signing a free-agent outfielder  —  Cubs appear to be close to signing a free-agent outfielder  —  The Chicago Cubs appear close to adding outfield depth.  A decision on free agents Xavier Nady, Reed Johnson, Jonny Gomes or Jermaine Dye appears imminent.

Modest surprise: Ronnie Belliard returning to Dodgers  —  The Blake DeWitt train will have more stops before it reaches its intended destination.  Ken Gurnick of MLB.com is reporting that Ronnie Belliard has re-signed with the Dodgers on an $825,000 deal.  —  The Dodgers now find themselves …

Why Damon is still available … If we were to create a “no-tool player” — a Frankenstein's monster crudely stitched together using only the worst individual skills possessed by active major leaguers — we might give him the foot speed of one of the senior Molina brothers.  We might give him the glove of Adam Dunn.

The day DiMaggio got a hit off Satchel  —  Joe DiMaggio was a prospect, a promising one for sure, but he still was two months shy of making his New York Yankees spring-training debut.  —  Leroy “Satchel” Paige was a Negro Leagues pitching sensation whose exploits seemed the stuff of myth until they actually were seen.

Council's OK clears hurdle for Cubs to stay  —  Mesa is awaiting word at any hour that the Chicago Cubs will call Arizona their winter home for 25 more years.  —  The City Council approved its end of a deal Monday evening to build a new spring training complex, dubbed “Wrigleyville West.”

A tale of two baseball cheaters  —  Why is it the best of times for Mark McGwire but the worst of times for Pete Rose?  —  ESPN.com  —  Mark McGwire is back in.  But Pete Rose is still out?  —  Major League Baseball continues its hit streak of hypocrisy.

Mark Loretta announces retirement after 15-year playing career  —  Former Padre returns to San Diego as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations  —  SAN DIEGO - Mark Loretta today announced that he has retired from playing Major League Baseball and will join the Padres front office as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations.

Reds Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Two-Star Prospects  —  Four More:  —  12. Matt Maloney, LHP: A pure finesse lefty, Maloney is exceptionally good at his craft, but his ceiling is a fifth starter.  —  13. Zach Cozart, SS …

Santana throws bullpen, feels ‘very good’  —  Johan Santana threw a 25-pitch bullpen session this morning in Port St. Lucie and afterward was very pleased.  He said he now can extend fully, which the elbow trouble he had late last year prevented him from doing.

The Top 100 Prospects of 2010: 26-100  —  Spring training and the 2010 regular season are right around the corner, which means it's time to take stock of the top potential future stars in the minor leagues.  —  Below are the final 75 players in my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball right now …

Thome not returning to White Sox  —  Manager Ozzie Guillen said he informed free agent slugger Jim Thome Sunday night that he wouldn't be returning to the White Sox.  —  “It's all about at-bats, and it was going to be hard to get him at-bats,” Guillen said Monday night after returning to Miami.

Angels lock up Izturis through 2012  —  Extension leaves Halos with three eligible for arbitration  —  The Angels have signed Maicer Izturis, avoiding an arbitration hearing with the versatile infielder and locking him up for three seasons.  —  By extending Izturis through 2012, the Angels are buying out two years of free agency.