Hamilton, Bautista head players in arbitration  —  NEW YORK — AL MVP Josh Hamilton has asked Texas for $12 million in salary arbitration and major league home run champion Jose Bautista submitted a $10.5 million figure to Toronto.  —  The Rangers offered Hamilton $8.7 million Tuesday …

Gil Meche announces retirement  —  “After a lot of thinking and prioritizing of issues in my life I have decided to retire from baseball.  As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore.

Kendrick signs for $2.45 million  —  With Ben Francisco's $1.175 million deal and Kendrick's $2.45 million deal, the Phillies now have $164.825 million guaranteed to 21 players next season.  At this point, righthander Joe Blanton seems sure to be dealt, since the Phillies …

Tigers Designate Galarraga For Assignment  —  One day after agreeing to terms with him on a $2.3MM contract for 2011, the Tigers have designated Armando Galarraga for assignment.  The team announced the move on Twitter, while making its deal with Brad Penny official.

Silva: Castillo could be cut to make room for Young  —  Earlier today on WFAN, host Mike Francesa he has been told - as of right now - the Mets do not intend to have Oliver Perez or Luis Castillo on the Opening Day roster.  —  In addition, Mike Silva from NY Baseball Digest just tweeted:

Yankees agree to one-year deals with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan; Mets re-ink Pelfrey  —  As they continue to try to bridge the gap with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones, the Yankees Tuesday avoided arbitration with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan, agreeing to one-year deals with each pitcher.

Milton Bradley arrested on felony charge for allegedly making a threat  —  UPDATE: According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Bradley was arrested at home at around 10:40 a.m for making a threat against an unidentified female.  He was later released on $50,000 bail.

Topics  —  AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JETS FAILURE!!!!  IT'S COMING SOON - TO A TV NEAR YOU!  —  robertinho  —  We used to have some corners called toast Rolle is the latest version of it, except he talks too much.  —  GintsFan4Life  —  I've said it before and I'll say it again …

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman: I told Andy Pettitte ‘not to Brett Favre us’  —  Middletownpress.com  —  CROMWELL - Yankees' Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman shared stories of struggles and strides at Tuesday's Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at Crowne Plaza in Cromwell.

Los Angeles Angels agree with some; Jered Weaver, Mike Napoli still left  —  The Los Angeles Angels have reached one-year contract agreements with four players, including slugger Kendry Morales and shortstop Erick Aybar, but could be headed for arbitration hearings with ace Jered Weaver and catcher Mike Napoli.

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.

White Sox avoid arbitration with three  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with pitcher John Danks, outfielder Carlos Quentin and relief pitcher Tony Pena on Tuesday by agreeing to one-year deals with each.  —  Danks and the White Sox agreed to a $6 million deal …

David Aardsma signs for $4.5 million as expected; Brandon League and Jason Vargas figures still not known  —  The Mariners finally reached deals with their remaining arbitration candidates today.  David Aardsma signed for $4.5 million, which is exactly how we'd estimated him when we began our compilation of the team's payroll.

Mets and Chris Young have AGREED to a deal  —  The Mets and free-agent RHP Chris Young have agreed to a deal, but it will not be officially announced until he's completed a physical, according to ESPN New York, the New York Times, Daily News, Bergen Record, New York Post and Newsday.