Report: Damon will ‘be lucky’ to sign somewhere  —  A baseball executive says former Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon “is going to be lucky to get whatever he gets,” if he signs somewhere.  —  The AL exec told MLive.com that Damon and agent Scott Boras misjudged the market for the 36-year-old outfielder.

Wellemeyer says he's considering Rockies; Colorado will watch Lowry  —  When I talked with GM Dan O'Dowd earlier this week, he said the club was done shopping, save for a few minor-league signings.  Todd Wellemeyer has emerged as one of those options, saying today on 1380 AM in St. Louis …

Orioles minor league pitcher suspended 50 games  —  Brian Parker, 24, tested positive twice  —  Orioles minor league pitcher Brian Parker has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for the second time, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Padres add catcher Torrealba to roster  —  One-year deal reportedly worth $1.25 million, with option for ‘11  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres’ roster construction continues as Spring Training approaches.  —  The newest addition is free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who on Friday agreed …

Hudson and the Twins  —  When people talk about teams that have had good off-seasons, the usual names that come up are the Seattle Mariners, the Boston Red Sox, and people that hate the New York Mets.  For all of them, this has been a productive winter full of good news.

Online bidder pays $103,579 for A-Rod's historic 500th homer ball  —  A-Rod's 500th home run ball is going, going, gone!  —  The ball smashed by the Yankee slugger on Aug. 4, 2007, to reach the historic milestone fetched $103,579 in an online auction that ended Thursday night.

Thoughts on a New Box Score  —  I have fond memories of, as a child, reading box scores in the newspaper.  In the pre-internet, or at least pre-internet in my house, days box scores in newspapers was the medium by which I, and I assume, most people consumed baseball data.

Natmosphere in your Ear (February 5, 2010)  —  Brian and Steven are joined by former Washington Times Nationals beat reporter Mark Zuckerman to discuss the Adam Kennedy, the bullpen, and more.

Fields, Getz provide options for Royals  —  Where newcomers fit could be big part of 2010 equation  —  KANSAS CITY — Josh Fields and Chris Getz came to the Royals as a package, bundled up with a bow as the White Sox part of a gift exchange for Mark Teahen.

Manny Ramirez: Last season of his career?  —  You never know when a few words might catch fire on the Internet.  —  On Nov. 1, Ken Gurnick, who covers the Dodgers for MLB.com, wrote that Manny Ramirez had “told teammates that he ought to be a designated hitter,” which would have meant opting …

15th annual Jiffy Lube Marlins FanFest presented by TD Bank set for Feb. 13  —  FanFest 2010 to Benefit American Red Cross Haiti Relief Efforts  —  The Florida Marlins are set to host the 15th Annual Jiffy Lube Marlins FanFest presented by TD Bank on Saturday, February 13 from noon to 6 P.M. at Sun Life Stadium.

What an extension might look like for Mark Reynolds  —  We've heard there is some mutual interest from the Diamondbacks and third baseman Mark Reynolds in working out a contract extension and that the club is expected to make an offer sometime before spring training.

Interesting Research Finds  —  While doing research for a few book projects I'm working on, I came across some interesting and sometimes odd stories on and off the diamond.  Here are a handful:  —  March 29, 1912: During an exhibition game in Baltimore, the Philadelphia Athletics were robbed of $2,500 worth of jewelry and cash.