Yanks, Pirates talk about AJ; Raul, Eric wait  —  The Yankees and Pirates are continuing to talk about a possible A.J. Burnett trade that could lead to more activity in the form of a couple free-agent signings by the Yankees.  As of Thursday night, the teams were thought to be a few million apart …

The whistleblower returns: Noreen Harrington, once the star witness in a Spitzer crusade, testifies that the Mets owners knew about Madoff  —  Harrington gets a distinguished-alumnus award. adelphi.edu  —  For just over a year now, the evidence facing Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz …

Cardinals Sign Dominican Righthander Andres Serrano For $750,000  —  The Cardinals have signed Dominican righthander Andres Serrano for $750,000, a deal that was agreed to in October and is still pending Major League Baseball's investigation into Serrano's age and identity.

Dan O'Dowd motivated by changing Rockies' culture in offseason makeover  —  The words come quickly.  Without focus, it's hard to keep up with Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd.  The same could be said for his offseason.  After a disappointing 73-89 record that left the Rockies closer …

Take the Pirates' money, please  —  It's one of the many torments of the Pirates' longest-suffering fans, the perpetual thought that somehow, some way, this will be the winter they make that big free-agent splash.  —  The thought was born, really, when PNC Park opened in 2001 with the promise of spending with the big boys.

Wainwright wows with his best stuff  —  Image  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • It was only 30 pitches in February before a collection of 20 players and staff on Field 2 behind Roger Dean Stadium.  But it was also Adam Wainwright throwing effortlessly and with command — momentous stuff just two weeks …

Nieuwenhuis itching to prove his worth to Mets  —  Talented center-field prospect heading to spring camp early  —  NEW YORK — Imagine working a lifetime to reach the highest level of professional baseball, coming within a crow hop of making it, then suddenly and unexpectedly losing that foothold.

Cubs 6-Game Packs feature Opening Day tix  —  CHICAGO — Want to be at Wrigley Field for Opening Day?  What about guaranteeing a seat for the Cubs' series against the Cardinals or White Sox?  —  You can take advantage of the Cubs 6-Game Pack, featuring tickets to Opening Day, April 5 …

Alderson Gets Funny About the Mets' Money  —  If you can't beat them, join them.  —  That seems to be the mind-set of Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson, who displayed his sense of humor Thursday when he posted a pair of well-crafted jibes on his Twitter account satirizing the growing hoopla around the organization's shaky finances.

Gordon gets an early gift from Royals  —  Receives $4.775 million pact on eve of 28th birthday  —  KANSAS CITY — Now Alex Gordon has something extra to celebrate Friday on his 28th birthday, a $4.775 million contract with the Royals for 2012.  —  “It was a great birthday present,” he said.

TV deals for Angels, Rangers open door for other teams  —  The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox may still reside in Major League Baseball's most exclusive revenue neighborhood, however a gaggle of newly-minted neighbors are poised at the security gates, ready to turn a privileged hamlet into a sprawling subdivision.