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 …

Marlins' Ozzie: It's ‘gambling’ to sign Cespedes  —  New Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen calls Yoenis Cespedes “pretty impressive,” but he said it's no slam dunk that the Cuban defector ends up in Miami.  —  Marlins president David Samson has already said that they would like the outfielder …

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 …

Aging (with chart!)  —  I've never done a chart on here before ... and from the chart above, you can see why.  —  That chart, though, is supposed to represent something ... this is a mathematically challenged attempt to approximate the aging pattern of every-day baseball players.

Stadium needs $5.7M upgrade  —  Staff recommends lease deal for Double-A team  —  The city should spend $5.7 million spiffing up the 20-year-old Ottawa Stadium on Coventry Road before leasing it to a relocated Double-A baseball team, city staff say.  —  After a bidding process for the rights …

How the Rangers plan to transition Yu Darvish to the majors … The day after the Texas Rangers won the bidding for the negotiating rights to pitcher Yu Darvish, a shipment of major league baseballs was delivered to the righthander in Japan so that he could begin training with them immediately.

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.

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.

Cards sign reliever Linebrink to Minors deal  —  The Cardinals' list of Spring Training non-roster invitees grew by one on Friday with the addition of Scott Linebrink, who signed a Minor League deal just eight days before pitchers and catchers are required to report to camp.

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 …