Source: Boston to get good prospect for Theo  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — A resolution of the Theo Epstein compensation issue was imminent Tuesday morning, a major league source said, with the Red Sox receiving what was termed a quality minor leaguer back from the Chicago Cubs as compensation for Epstein's hire by the Cubs as club president.

Albert Pujols and Yu Darvish bump into each other twice in L.A. before spring training  —  TEMPE, Ariz. - New to the job, new to the division, new to the left coast, Albert Pujols has a lot to catch up on.  —  The sun sets pink and orange over the sea.  —  Designated freeway lanes are little more than suggestions.

2012 Top 100 Prospects  —  ADDITIONAL TOP 100 PROSPECTS COVERAGE  —  Jim Callis Column: Seeing where unsigned players would fit in the Top 100  —  Comps: We ask scouts for comps on this year's Terrific Trio  —  Hard To Pick: We ask front office officials to tell us who they'd put No. 1

Tampa Bay Rays say Brignac-Rodriguez shortstop battle will come down to little things  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The biggest position battle in Rays camp will be at shortstop, and the decision between Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez may be determined by the little things.

Inside the Phillies: Hamels says focus is baseball, not money  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - If Cole Hamels really believes everything he said Monday - and there is no reason to think otherwise - then the youngest of the Phillies' three aces should have a contract extension in place by opening day in Pittsburgh.

Rockies commit to Jim Tracy ‘indefinitely’ with new deal  —  Rockies manager Jim Tracy hits during a spring training baseball workout on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Darron Cummings, The Associated Press)  —  SCOTTSDALE — In an offseason defined by change …

Free agent Ivan Rodriguez hoping for another shot  —  DETROIT (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez is working out daily to keep his 40-year-old body in shape, hoping he'll get a chance to play this season.  —  The 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove catcher insists he's not ready to retire - yet.

Mets' reliever Jon Rauch an imposing figure  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Jon Rauch got his first tattoo when he turned 18.  It was, somewhat predictably, a baseball.  And it found a home near his ankle.  —  The piece of artwork that nudged open the gate to his world of ink is gone now.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admits that the Bombers didn't try to win AL East in final weeks of 2010 season  —  Said there was nothing to gain, extols new two-team wild card format  —  New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman speaks to reporters outside the Yankees club house on the day pitchers …

The Making Of “Homer At The Bat,” The Episode That Conquered Prime Time 20 Years Ago Tonight  —  On Feb. 20, 1992, more American homes tuned into The Simpsons than they did The Cosby Show or the Winter Olympics from Albertville, France.  A foul-mouthed cartoon on a fourth-place network bested …

2012 MLB Wins Over/Unders  —  New York 93.0 o-115 Detroit 94.0 o-115 Texas 94.0 o-115  —  Tampa Bay 87.5 o-122 Kansas City 78.5 u-119 Los Angeles 89.5 o-135  —  Boston 87.5 o-115 Chicago 77.5 o-115 Oakland 73.0 o-115

Relievers won't prepare to be spot starters  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Manager Mike Matheny suggested that the Cardinals have no immediate plans to extend the workload of some projected Cards relievers in order to have them ready as an emergency starter.  —  That means that, barring any injuries …

Crawford not ruling out return by Opening Day  —  Left fielder puts rough first season with Red Sox behind him  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — For Carl Crawford, the final indignity of a season gone horribly wrong was that line drive off the bat of Robert Andino at Camden Yards that glanced off …