Source: Mariano Rivera talks with New York Yankees going smoothly  —  NEW YORK —The Yankees' negotiations with closer Mariano Rivera are progressing much smoother than the rancor-filled struggle with Derek Jeter.  —  “Night and day,” said one baseball official with knowledge of both talks.

Rockies keep Tulowitzki through 2020, secure De La Rosa's return  —  Tulo for life.  It has a nice ring to it after the Rockies pulled off a bold double play with their franchise shortstop and top free-agent pitcher Monday.  —  Colorado has signed Troy Tulowitzki to a seven-year …

Andy Pettitte a Ranger?  Texas president Nolan Ryan makes stealthy pitch to Yankees pitcher  —  Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte is still mulling whether to return to the Yankees or to retire and return to his home in Texas...  The Yankees know they'll be fighting with the Rangers for the services of Cliff Lee.

Gil McDougald, Ex-Yankee, Dies at 82  —  Gil McDougald, the Yankees' versatile All-Star infielder who played on five World Series championship teams but was remembered as well for a single at-bat resulting in one of baseball's most frightening moments, died Sunday at his home in Wall Township, N.J. He was 82.

Sources: Juan Uribe, Dodgers near deal  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to signing free-agent infielder Juan Uribe to a three-year deal, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Monday.  —  The move would not only strengthen the Dodgers but hurt their archrival, the Giants.

Mets Nearing Deal for Chris Young, Or Not  —  Baumbach covers New York sports for Newsday.com.  —  From what I can gather, the Mets and free-agent RHP Chris Young have been in contact and, though I wouldn't be surprised to see them eventually work out a deal, nothing is imminent.  —  Updated at 9:50 pm:

Blyleven, Alomar head Hall ballot with new faces  —  Bagwell, Palmeiro among those getting first chance at induction … History suggests that induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame is all but sealed for pitcher Bert Blyleven and second baseman Roberto Alomar, but they don't hold the key to Cooperstown yet.

Ranking the new managers … Ten teams hired a manager this winter and some did better than others.  Here are my rankings of the new managerial hires, from top to bottom.  —  1. Clint Hurdle, Pirates.  Pittsburgh sure took a long time finding its new manager, partly because not everyone …

An alarming arm problem  —  Stephen Strasburg was named to the annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team on Monday.  —  Honors were expected of the righty — especially after he struck out 14 in his major league debut — but the way Strasburg finished his rookie season was not what most of us had in mind.

2010 Postseason Shares Announced  —  A full postseason share for the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants totaled $317,631.29, while a full share for the American League Champion Texas Rangers amounted to $246,279.55, Major League Baseball announced today.