Yankees sign Branyan to minor-league deal  —  The Yankees agreed Wednesday to sign Russell Branyan to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.  —  The move does not impact the team's chances of adding another lefty bat and it remains in the hunt for Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez.

Alderson says Mets are staying pat  —  Mets on Twitter  —  Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is scheduled to begin his drive from New York to Port St. Lucie Wednesday, and there don't figure to be too many new faces to greet him.  —  “We're pretty much there,” Alderson said of what the Mets' roster …

NY Mets' Mike Pelfrey is confident he will revive his sinker after subpar 2011 campaign  —  Regaining pitch could be the key to crucial season  —  Mike Pelfrey throws self into reviving sinker after rough 2011.  —  Mike Pelfrey estimates that he has already thrown 1,000 sinkers …

Wilpons apply to high court in Madoff case  —  The owners of the New York Mets are taking their battle with the trustee in the Bernard Madoff case to the U.S. Supreme Court — at least they are trying to.  —  In a little noticed filing last Friday, Sterling Equities Associates …

‘Oil Can’ Boyd Admits To Pitching Under Influence Of Cocaine  —  BOSTON (CBS) - Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd admitted on Wednesday that two-thirds of the time he was on the mound, he was under the influence of cocaine.  —  “Oh yeah, at every ballpark.

Padres reach deal with veteran hurler Suppan  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran pitcher Jeff Suppan on Wednesday, a deal which includes an invitation to Major League camp for Spring Training.  —  Suppan, 37, has a 138-143 record in 442 Major League games …

Tigers' Dombrowski confident in Fielder's longevity  —  DETROIT (AP) — Dave Dombrowski is showing no sign of buyer's remorse.  —  The Tigers' general manager spoke Tuesday as part of a Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association luncheon, expressing confidence new first baseman Prince Fielder …

Trumbo's recovery in full swing as camp nears  —  Slugger ramping up workouts as fracture in right foot heals  —  ANAHEIM — Mark Trumbo finally got the news he was looking for.  Early last week, a trip to Los Angeles to visit Dr. Phillip Kwong, who has been overseeing his offseason recovery …

Law: Ranking the farm systems  —  Thanks to some shrewd trades over the past year, San Diego's system is stacked

Source: Rangers, Cruz close on two-year deal  —  SS Elvis Andrus may not be the only Ranger to get a multi-year contract this week.  According to a major league source, the club is close with OF Nelson Cruz on a two-year deal that would eliminate his scheduled arbitration hearing next week.

ORTIZ ARB HEARING SLATED FOR MONDAY  —  According to an industry source, the arbitration hearing for David Ortiz and the Red Sox is scheduled Monday.  The Red Sox offered their longtime slugger a $12.65 million salary for 2012, while the DH requested a $16.5 million salary.

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is a bidder for Dodgers  —  Heisley is a Chicago businessman who bought the Grizzlies in 2000.  His is one of 11 bids that survived the first cut in the Dodgers sale process.  —  New Grizzlies General Manager Jerry West chats with owner Mark Heisley after a news conference in Memphis.

The 10 Worst Transactions Of The Winter  —  Major League teams are getting smarter.  In prior years, we would have had easy pickings like the Barry Zito contract, the Carlos Lee signing, and even last year's Vernon Wells acquisition.  This year, there were some guys who got too much money …