Sources: Cubs trade Tom Gorzelanny  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have traded left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals for three minor league prospects — two pitchers and an outfielder, according to two major league sources.  —  The trade is pending a physical that Gorzelanny is expected to take on Tuesday.

Why the Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod-type deal … Albert Pujols' decision, via agent Dan Lozano, to set a deadline of spring training for a new multiyear deal with the Cardinals, could be a sign things aren't going all that well in the negotiations.  But it could also be an attempt to force a deal.

Report: A's, reliever Brian Fuentes agree on 2-year deal  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Oakland Athletics and free-agent lefty reliever Brian Fuentes have agreed to terms on a two-year contract.  —  Fuentes  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity …

New York Yankees less confident Andy Pettitte will return next season, executive says  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees' optimism about the return of Andy Pettitte has waned somewhat over the past week, a team source told ESPNNewYork.com on Monday.  —  “Last week I thought the chances were 60-40.

Sources: New York Yankees lead chase for OF Andruw Jones  —  Looking for some outfield depth, the New York Yankees are the leading candidate to land free agent Andruw Jones, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Monday.  —  Their AL East rival, the Tampa Bay Rays …

15 worst endings ever to regular-season games  —  Last month I saw the most enjoyable sports column I've read in some time.  Naturally, Joe Posnanski wrote it.  Titled “The Agony of Defeat,” it presented admittedly-subjective picks for the worst endings ever to any sports games.

Ramos, Norris among top catching prospects  —  Yanks, Nats, Jays dominate list of up-and-coming backstops … Finding good catching isn't the easiest thing to do.  Growing your own seems to be an even harder task.  Some can hit, but either can't handle the defensive rigors of the position …

Nats in talks with Cora for backup infield spot  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are in serious talks with veteran infielder Alex Cora, according to a baseball source.  —  Washington has been looking for a backup infielder since the club decided that Willie Harris was no longer part of its plans.

Martin says'distractions' led to drop-off in play  —  Russell Martin says he knows why he has skidded from stardom to mediocrity in the prime of his career.  —  But beyond vague allusions to “frustrations” and “distractions,” he politely declines to explain.  —  “There's some things that you keep for yourself,” Martin said.

Great news on a Monday?  Angelos could be priming Orioles for sale .....  It's pretty fitting that Baltimore is blanketed by a grey, dingy skyline to begin the first Monday of the Ravens offseason, huh?  If nothing else, it kinda sums up how most of us are feeling .....

Time to get the deal done?  —  Jonathan Papelbon and Jacoby Ellsbury, who were tendered contracts back on Dec. 2, have yet to agree to terms with the Red Sox.  —  They are considered signed players.  The next step in the arbitration process comes tomorrow when the sides exchange proposed salaries.

Slaughter-ing the Myth of Clutch  —  Last Monday, in “What a Difference a Year Makes (in Run Distribution),” we took a look at why the 2010 Cardinals ball club wound up with only 86 team wins despite having a Pythagorean Record of 91-71, which was the exact same Pythagorean Record and actual record …

Votto agrees to three-year deal  —  This just in — the Reds and Joey Votto have agreed to terms Sunday on a three-year, $38 million contract with 1B Joey Votto, baseball sources told MLB.com.  This is pending a physical, which is scheduled for Monday.  —  This would cover all three …