Jim Leyritz acquitted in Florida  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A jury in Florida on Saturday acquitted former major league baseball player Jim Leyritz of DUI manslaughter in a 2007 crash that killed a mother of two.  —  However, Leyritz was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence …

Bryce Harper to start in Arizona Fall League title game  —  Bryce Harper will wrap up his first professional season today in Scottsdale, Ariz., by starting for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the championship game of the Arizona Fall League.  Harper, the second-youngest player in the history of the AFL …

Yankees name Larry Rothschild pitching coach  —  Here's the announcement from the Yankees.  —  The New York Yankees today announced they have signed pitching coach Larry Rothschild to a three-year contract.  The 2011 season will mark Rothschild's 37th season in professional baseball as a player, coach or manager.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.