Yanks hire coach Larry Rothschild … In a surprise announcement, the New York Yankees hired Larry Rothschild, the Chicago Cubs pitching coach for the past nine seasons, to succeed Dave Eiland as pitching coach.  —  “Larry brings a wealth of invaluable experience to our team and to our pitching staff …

Pirates Designate Duke, LaRoche, Young  —  The Pirates have designated Zach Duke, Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young for assignment, according to a team press release.  The moves do not come as a surprise, as MLBTR pegged all three as non-tender candidates earlier this month.

Baseball executives bet on Bob Melvin as Sandy Alderson's choice to be next manager of New York Mets  —  Jeff Wilpon stepped out of a meeting room Thursday at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando shortly after he and his front office team had interviewed Terry Collins and completed the Mets' managerial search.

Abreu puts team first in DH stance  —  Veteran open to shifting role should Angels lure Crawford  —  At his offseason home in Orlando, Bobby Abreu has heard the rumor — neither confirmed nor denied by Angels management in accordance with club policy — that the Halos are pursuing free-agent left fielder Carl Crawford.

Cardinals adjust 40-man roster  —  Ottavino, Stavinoha removed; prospects Cruz, King added  —  ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals revealed adjustments to their 40-man roster as well as their Minor League coaching staffs in a pair of announcements on Friday afternoon.

Inbox: Who will man middle infield spots?  —  Beat reporter Corey Brock answers Padres fans' questions  —  What are the Padres' plans for the middle infield?  Up-the-middle defense is paramount if you're building your team on pitching and defense.  Any chance the Padres make a deal …

Mariners add 10 organizational players to 40-man roster  —  Mariners add seven pitchers, two outfielders, one infielder  —  SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Jack Zduriencik announced today that the club has selected the following players …

Yankees To Offer Jeter $45MM For Three Years  —  The Yankees are about to offer Derek Jeter a three-year deal worth $45MM, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).  Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported yesterday that the Yankees would likely make such an offer to their captain.

Rangers sign Barret Loux  —  The Rangers have signed Barret Loux, a pitcher who was the Diamondbacks No. 1 draft pick but then declared a free agent after they couldn't come to an agreement.  —  Well, they reached an agreement but then Loux failed his physical.  He has both shoulder and elbow issues that are of a concern.

Yankees release Jonathan Albaladejo  —  The Yankees have released reliever Jonathan Albaladejo so that he can sign a contract to play in Japan.  —  Last season, the Yankees made it pretty clear that they didn't see a spot for Albaladejo in the big leagues.

Amaro: Ibanez is a subject Werth talking about  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Walking by a gaggle of reporters on his way out of the posh Waldorf Astoria here at Disney World, Ruben Amaro Jr. held up his hand and formed a circle with his finger and thumb.  —  The message?  No news to report.

Paulino talks about joining Rockies; additions to 40-man roster  —  Thanks to our good friend Rafael Rojas Cremonesi, a writer from the  —  Venezuelan newspaper Meridiano, Felipe Paulino talked about his trade to the Rockies.  —  Acquired Thursday from the Astros in exchange for Clint Barmes …

Tampa Bay Rays' David Price is AL Cy Young runnerup behind Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez  —  ORLANDO — The idea of voting the award for the American League's best pitcher to Seattle's Felix Hernandez, who won only 13 games, is difficult for some people to understand.