Dodgers, outfielder Marcus Thames agree on a deal  —  He's likely to platoon in left field with Jay Gibbons.  Club is also close to signing outfielder Gabe Kapler.  —  Staff and wire reports  —  The Dodgers went into spring training last year with Manny Ramirez in left field …

Report: Mets agree to deal with Young  —  NEW YORK (AP)  —  A person familiar with the negotiations says right-hander Chris Young has agreed to a contract with the New York Mets, pending a physical.  —  Mets at a glance  —  The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition …

What Is Tom Gorzelanny?  —  After picking up Matt Garza from Tampa Bay, the Cubs were widely expected to trade Tom Gorzelanny in order to free up a spot in the rotation for their newly acquired starter.  Today, that expectation became reality, as they shipped Gorzelanny to the Nationals for a trio of prospects.

Jon Heyman>DAILY SCOOP  —  More ColumnsEmail Jon HeymanFollow Jon Heyman on  —  Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod deal (cont.)  —  Yankees won't be Sori about big set-up expense  —  The Yankees gave Rafael Soriano a $35-million, three-year contract with two opt-out options to be their set-up man.

Votto, Lozano Make Smart Deal  —  Joey Votto has nothing to lose.  He and agent Dan Lozano avoided arbitration and worked out a deal with the Reds that's worth $38MM in guaranteed money.  And Votto doesn't hit free agency a minute later than he was originally scheduled to.

Rafael Palmeiro doesn't pass the test  —  It would be nice to ignore steroid controversy in HOF voting, but it would be wrong  —  For years, Rafael Palmeiro ducked the phone calls, ignored the messages, stayed out of the public eye and hoped that perhaps people would forgive and forget.

Nationals avoid arbitration with Doug Slaten, Michael Morse  —  The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with left-handed reliever Doug Slaten by reaching an agreement on a one-year contract worth $695,000 plus incentives, according to a league source.  Slaten will make a $5,000 bonus once …

Tampa Bay Rays avoid arbitration with B.J. Upton  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Centerfielder B.J. Upton went through the untoward experience of an arbitration hearing — and an unsuccessful one at that — last year.  So given the opportunity by the Rays to avoid another and get a healthy raise in the process …

MLB: Most creative contract clauses of offseason  —  Many contracts signed this offseason are filled with the most imaginative clauses  —  Always check out the small print.  —  If your mom and dad never told you that, once upon a time, then hopefully your lawyer did.  —  Why?

Galarraga agrees to one-year deal with Tigers  —  DETROIT — The Tigers will go another winter without an arbitration hearing, continuing their streak by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with right-hander Armando Galarraga.  —  The deal, announced on Tuesday, is reportedly worth $2.3 million …

Rauch, Janssen agree with Blue Jays  —  has agreed to a $3.75 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Casey Janssen  —  has settled his salary arbitration case.  —  Rauch, a free agent, gets one-year contract worth $3.75 million under Monday's agreement.

Ted Berg: Mets are going to sign Scott Hairston  —  Hairston, 30, hit .210 with a .295 OBP, 10 HR, 36 RBI and 6 stolen bases in 104 games for the Padres last season.  In his seven-year career, he's played all three outfield positions and second base.  —  He's a decent player …

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg continues rehab from surgery  —  IN SAN DIEGO Stephen Strasburg, the pitcher whose brilliance last summer grabbed baseball by the throat, has not grabbed a baseball in months.  Some 150 days have passed since Strasburg picked up a ball …

Bautista the big question mark as arbitration deadline looms  —  On the eve of baseball's deadline for the exchange of arbitration numbers, right-handers Casey Janssen, Shawn Camp and Jesse Litsch agreed to terms on one-year contracts with the Jays for 2011.  —  Janssen, 29, settled on a $1.095 million (all figures U.S.) contract.

Five winning moves of the offseason  —  With most major transactions likely complete, it's as good a time as any to take a look at some of the best moves of the 2010-2011 offseason.  In no particular order:  —  1) Boston Red Sox acquire Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego Padres …

Indians, Cabrera agree, avoid arbitration  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians settled on a one-year contract with Asdrubal Cabrera on Monday night, avoiding arbitration with the shortstop.  The deal is worth $2.025 million.  —  The pact comes one day prior to the deadline for clubs …