Ballbug: Mets' reliever Jon Rauch an imposing figure (Mike Kerwick/NorthJersey.com)

Phil Rogers on imminent Epstein compensation deal: Expect howls — According to an MLB source, the Theo Epstein decision will be made Tuesday. — Reports from the Red Sox camp early Tuesday first suggested this, with WEEI's Alex Speier saying that Boston is getting an unnamed pitching prospect off the Cubs' 40-man roster.

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

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.

Discussion: MLB, Call to the Pen, Over the Monster and Deadspin

Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:

Epstein Compensation Deal Is Close — 9:15am: The Red Sox will receive a pitcher from the Cubs' 40-man roster, tweets WEEI's Alex Speier. That'd rule out McNutt. Rafael Dolis, Chris Carpenter, Jeff Beliveau, and Casey Weathers are on the Cubs' 40-man and cracked Baseball America's top 30 prospects for the team.

Discussion: Over the Monster

Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Dice-K throws in bullpen, on ‘very good pace’

Discussion: MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Over the Monster and Boston Globe

Baseball America:

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

Discussion: River Avenue Blues, Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com and Patrick Flood

Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:

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.

Discussion: Baseball Nation, Plain Dealer, Deadspin, Athletics Nation, MLB Rumors and NESN.com

Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk: Manny Ramirez signs with the Oakland Athletics

Fox Sports:
Source: A's agree to deal with Manny

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:

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 …

Discussion: MLB.com, Purple Row, Baseball Nation and baseballmusings.com

Discussion: HardballTalk and Yahoo! Sports

Bob Brookover / Philly.com:

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.

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

Discussion: ESPN

Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:

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.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Associated Press:

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.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:

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 …

Mike Kerwick / NorthJersey.com:

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.

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and MetsBlog.com

Erik Malinowski / Deadspin:

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 …

Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:

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 …

Discussion: HardballTalk

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Steve Kornacki / Globe and Mail:

The Tao of a slim Blue Jay Brett Cecil — DUNEDIN, FLA.— From Tuesday's Globe and Mail — Third base coach Brian Butterfield was one of many who did a double-take upon spotting left-handed starter Brett Cecil, who lost 33 pounds since last seen in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Ian Browne / MLB.com:

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 …

Discussion: Boston Globe

Discussion: HardballTalk and The Soxaholix