Sources: Torii Hunter visiting Tigers  —  Free-agent outfielder Torii Hunter was in Detroit on Tuesday to meet with Tigers officials, major league sources told FOXSports.com.  The team — like Hunter — is desperately trying to win the World Series.  —  The Tigers won the American League …

Youkilis drawing interest from Dodgers, Phils, others  —  In one respect, Kevin Youkilis hit free agency at the wrong time: He had a .745 OPS during the 2012 season, the lowest mark of his career.  —  Then again, he's entering the market at a time when a number of general managers are unsatisfied …

Cards release McClellan; Garcia throws off mound  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  The Cardinals released relief pitcher Kyle McClellan today.  The Florissant native and Hazelwood West High product pitched for the Cardinals from 2008-2011 and won 12 games …

Cubs Agree To Sign Scott Baker  —  The Cubs have agreed to terms with Scott Baker on a one-year contract, the team announced.  The deal includes a $5.5MM base salary with $1.5MM in incentives, reports Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune and MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith (Twitter links).

Lefty star Affeldt, Giants appear to have agreement on new 3-year deal  —  October hero Jeremy Affeldt appears headed back to the World Champion San Francisco Giants on a three-year deal.  —  Affeldt and the Giants have agreement on terms of a new deal, sources say.

The 50-Run Receiver  —  The Tampa Bay Rays were eliminated from playoff contention on October 1st, falling short of their fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, but it wasn't because of their pitching.  The staff's walk rate fell from 3.1 per nine innings in 2011 to 2.9 in 2012 …

Choo to miss World Baseball Classic  —  Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, the biggest South Korean baseball star, isn't expected to play for his home country during the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  —  Choo's agent, Scott Boras, said in a recent interview that the 30-year-old instead will focus …

Big win for Bay: Mets payments will be deferred over only two years  —  Bay batted just .165 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in his third season in New York.  (US Presswire)  —  Jason Bay may have gotten a better deal for himself by leaving the Mets than he did when he initially signed with them.

Jason Giambi felt timing wasn't right for Rockies' hitting position  —  Respect for new manager Walt Weiss and a desire to avoid any potential distractions led Jason Giambi to pull his name from consideration for the hitting instructor's job before Dante Bichette accepted the position Tuesday.

Orioles have interest in outfielder Jonny Gomes  —  The Baltimore Sun  —  The Orioles have interest in free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes, an industry source has confirmed.  —  Gomes' name is one of many the Orioles are considering early in the free agency market, but the Orioles could use …