On the Hunt: Dodgers pursue Torii  —  5:35PM EST November 9.  2012 - INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers already have an All-Star right fielder, but are aggressively pursuing free-agent right fielder Torii Hunter, a high-ranking Dodgers' official told USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity due to ongoing negotiations.

Red Sox, Ross agree to two-year deal  —  David Ross is considered perhaps the best backup catcher in baseball.  And now he is joining the Boston Red Sox.  —  Ross reached agreement Saturday with the Red Sox on a two-year, free-agent contract, according to major-league sources.

Sources: Dodgers stand to win bid  —  SEOUL, South Korea — A team in South Korea says one Major League Baseball club has bid nearly $26 million for a chance to sign pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin.  —  The Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization said Saturday that they have accepted a posting fee …

Mets might find payroll leeway, though perhaps without R.A. Dickey  —  INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — It doesn't figure to be much, but Sandy Alderson suggested Friday that the Mets' payroll should inch upward from the $93 million spent for last season's disappointing 74-88 finish.

Don't expect Cano to give Yankees hometown discount  —  However, a person involved in the negotiations told me Texas is no longer the frontrunner because it would not include either of its talented shortstops, Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar.  Detroit (with third base prospect Nick Castellanos) …

Mo takes big step toward return to action  —  All-time saves leader makes 25 throws during commercial shoot  —  TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — From a distance of 60 feet and six inches, it took Mariano Rivera all of six tosses to scatter splinters of lumber, a familiar accomplishment for the mortal enemy of Louisville Sluggers everywhere.

Davey Johnson planning on retiring from managing after 2013  —  As the Nationals and Manager Davey Johnson near a final resolution for Johnson to manage next year, the sides are in agreement 2013 to be Johnson's final season as the Nationals' manager, according to a person familiar with the talks.

Dodgers interested in long-term deal with Clayton Kershaw  —  At the close of the general managers' meetings, Ned Colletti says he's optimistic about re-signing Clayton Kershaw to a long-term contract.  —  Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw led the majors in earned-run average for the second consecutive year.

Lakers fire Mike Brown after slow start  —  5:50PM EST November 9.  2012 - The Los Angeles Lakers have fired Mike Brown just five games into a season that began with the team expected to contend for NBA championship after the additions of All-Stars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.

Jeff Kent's epic “Survivor” loser speech ...  I haven't watched “Survivor” in years.  But I'm kind of wishing I did after viewing Jeff Kent's excellent rant after he was voted off the island in this week's episode.  There's a lot of rage packed into this 23-second clip …

Rosenthal On Hamilton, Hart, Pagan, Indians  —  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports spoke with agents and rival executives about where Josh Hamilton might land and the Nationals, Phillies, Mariners, and Orioles often came up in conversation.  The Phillies would appear to be a stretch for both financial …

MLB has a drug problem — again … Major League Baseball has a drug problem again and is engaged in discussions with the players' association regarding what to do about it.  The very specific problem is the use of fast-acting synthetic testosterone, the primary performance-enhancing drug …