Francona still feels sting of fall  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  That was Part 1 of the pain.  —  Next came the owners' vehement denial of responsibility for the leaks.  Francona was left to wonder if they had missed the point.

Source: Yanks near Minors deal with Rapada  —  The Yankees are near an agreement with reliever Clay Rapada on a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training, a source told MLB.com.  —  Rapada will likely fill the void created when left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima failed his physical this week.

Pirates To Acquire A.J. Burnett  —  After more than a week of back-and-forth discussion, the Yankees and Pirates agreed on a deal today that will send A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh.  The deal allows the Bombers to unload $13MM of the $33MM still owed to the veteran pitcher over the next two years.

Johan Santana throws 25 pitches during bullpen session; NY Mets pitcher says ‘I was able to throw all my pitches’  —  Santana's first work from mound since October  —  NY Mets pitcher Johan Santana throws live off the mound Friday in Port St. Lucie.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Last year, it was Carlos Beltran's knees.

Source: Yanks expect to ink Raul Ibanez … With A.J. Burnett headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees next expect to sign Raul Ibanez as a left-handed designated hitter and Eric Chavez as a backup infielder, according to an official with direct knowledge of the team's plans.

La Russa to assist Leyland at Tigers camp  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Though he won't be leading the Cardinals through their spring workouts for the first time in 17 years, former manager Tony La Russa is not going to be entirely absent from the Spring Training scene.

Cubs should count on accountability from new regime  —  MESA, Ariz. — Among the pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training Saturday for the Cubs, you won't find any C.J. Wilsons, Mark Buehrles or any other big-ticket free agents.  —  Or Carlos Zambrano, for that matter.

Royals agree with Eric Hosmer  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals agreed to contracts with first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-hander Luis Mendoza Saturday, two days before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training.

Ready to spring into action  —  A look at the top storylines, best/worst signings, most/least improved, players to watch  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — No more mystery teams.  No more posting fees.  No more free agents jetting into Miami for a tour of the gleaming new Ballpark That Ozzie Guillen Didn't Build But Will Definitely Tweet In.

BUCKS BEAT: Jackson, Skiles are all business  —  Some quick hits on the Milwaukee Bucks:  —  After Stephen Jackson was benched for the second half of a game against Denver Jan. 17, I asked the Bucks veteran swingman whether he had any inkling Bucks coach Scott Skiles was going to do that.