Oquendo enthused after Mets interview  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Whether or not the New York Mets hire Jose Oquendo as their next manager, the Cardinals' third-base coach is convinced he is a serious candidate.  —  Mets general manager Sandy Alderson traveled Monday to the site …

Pujols' contract talks to heat up  —  • While maintaining the issue is independent of this winter's team-building, the Cardinals intend next month to engage three-time MVP Albert Pujols in long-anticipated talks regarding a contract extension.  —  General manager John Mozeliak …

Posey catches NL Rookie of the Year honors  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey, who contributed mightily to ending the Giants' World Series drought, broke another prolonged spell by himself Monday when the catcher was named the National League's Rookie of the Year.

Dodgers sign Hiroki Kuroda  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Monday that they have re-signed free-agent left-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $12-million contract.  —  The contract will pay Kuroda $8 million in 2011, plus a $4-million signing bonus that will be paid out in 2012 and 2013 …

Contreras agrees to 2-year deal with Phillies  —  If Jose Contreras can give the Phillies two more seasons like the one he just turned in, he will prove to be one of the bigger bullpen bargains in the big leagues.  —  That's hardly a guarantee, considering the fact that the massive righthander …

Another Buchholz is aboard  —  Rebounding reliever claimed off waivers  —  Once a top-flight prospect, Taylor Buchholz — a distant cousin of the Red Sox' Clay Buchholz — pitched in only nine games in 2010 following Tommy John surgery.  (File/Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/2008)

Melvin: “We're Not Shopping Prince”  —  Prince Fielder has just one more year to go before becoming eligible for free agency, and as a result many around the game expect the Brewers to shop their hulking first baseman.  GM Doug Melvin told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that isn't the case however …

Free-agency market for Manny Ramirez could be slim  —  Demand for a 38-year-old designated hitter doesn't appear high, so the slugger might have to settle for whatever he can get or perhaps walk away from baseball.  —  Of all the nouns used to label Manny Ramirez over the years …

Yankees Release 2011 Ticket Information  —  The New York Yankees today announced ticket information for the upcoming 2011 regular season at Yankee Stadium, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 31, when the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers.  —  The Yankees will play 13 of their first 16 games …

Dbacks, INF Blum Agree to $2.7M, 2-Year Contract  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Infielder Geoff Blum became the first of the 166 free agents to switch teams, agreeing Monday to a $2.7 million, two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  —  New general manager Kevin Towers said the move is “the first step” in improving the team's bench.

Former Los Angeles Angels outfielder Ed Kirkpatrick, 66, dies  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ed “Spanky” Kirkpatrick, who played seven seasons for the Los Angeles Angels during a 16-year major league career, has died.  He was 66.  —  The team says he died Monday.  No immediate cause of death was available.

Yanks raise ticket rates  —  The New York Yankees are raising the prices of some of their most expensive tickets for next year after making big cuts in 2010, and are hiking the cost of bleacher seats for only the third time in 13 years.  —  The price of the best field-level seats will rise …

Reds' 2010 organization review  —  It was recently reported, right here on MLB.com, that no one should expect the Cincinnati Reds to be big players on the free-agent market.  Even after their 91-win season and an National League Central crown, the Reds are committed to sticking largely …