Blue Jays To Sign Melky Cabrera  —  The Blue Jays have agreed to sign Melky Cabrera to a two-year, $16MM contract, Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com reports.  ACES represents Cabrera, who must pass a physical for the deal to be completed.  —  Cabrera served a season-ending 50 game suspension under …

Bud Selig gives Fred Wilpon's ownership group a vote of confidence  —  ROSEMONT, Ill. — In light of obvious financial problems with the Marlins, and possibly the future of baseball in South Florida, commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday that he has no concerns about the Mets, who still are facing a cash crunch of their own.

Brazil Upsets Host Panama In Qualifier Opener  —  Astros farmhand Murilo Gouvea retired the first 10 batters he faced, and Rays farmhand Leonardo Reginatto scored two of Brazil's runs and drove in a third as Brazil upset Panama 3-2 to open the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament.

Science gives Crew edge in keeping arms healthy  —  Injury prevention for pitchers is focus of team's unique three-day medical symposium  —  MILWAUKEE — For nearly a decade, the Brewers quietly have been on the forefront of injury prevention, particularly in the pitching department.

Stanton solely focused on ‘winning philosophy’  —  Marlins slugger frustrated after five teammates traded to Toronto  —  Giancarlo Stanton was home in Westwood, Calif., on Tuesday when he heard the news that five of his teammates were being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sources: Red Sox to talk extension for Pedroia … BOSTON — While Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is optimistic about the club's unfinished offseason plans for free agency and the trade market, he also has some internal considerations brewing.

Padres Acquire Ross For Parrino, Werner  —  The Padres announced that they acquired right-hander Tyson Ross and infielder A.J. Kirby-Jones from the A's for infielder Andy Parrino and left-hander Andrew Werner.  None of the four players have enough service time to be arbitration eligible.

Braves host free-agent outfielder Upton  —  ATLANTA — After reaching a two-year agreement with veteran backup catcher Gerald Laird on Thursday morning, Braves general manager Frank Wren spent Thursday afternoon and some of the early evening courting free-agent outfielder B.J. Upton.

It's the 2013 Hardball Times Baseball Annual  —  The Hardball Times Baseball Annual for 2013 is now yours for the purchasing.  This is something we do every year, just for the heck of it.  In fact, this is our ninth THT Annual, and we're trying a few new things this year.

Astros owner Jim Crane meets with Lance Berkman who is working as volunteer at Rice  —  Houston Astros owner Jim Crane told FOX 26 Sports he met last week with free agent first baseman Lance Berkman.  —  “We had a chat in my office,” Crane said.  “He was just seeing where we were at.

Buster Posey named NL MVP  —  NEW YORK — San Francisco's Buster Posey has been voted the NL Most Valuable Player after returning from a devastating leg injury and becoming the first catcher in 70 years to win the league's batting title.  —  Posey received 27 of 32 first-place votes …

Ricky Nolasco will pitch for Marlins in 2013, says team president  —  Marlins president David Samson took questions from callers today on The Dan LeBatard Show on 790 AM and unveiled one nugget - Ricky Nolasco will pitch for the Marlins in 2013.  —  LeBatard at one point asked Samson, “Will Ricky Nolasco be here next year?”

Broadway comes calling for Bronx Bombers  —  Annie, get your bat!  Soon they'll be the Broadway Bombers.  —  Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo announced Thursday that a theater project based on the Yankees has been commissioned.  The show will be created in collaboration with both the Yanks and Major League Baseball.

White Sox create special ‘Family Sunday’ fan experience for 2013  —  Family Sundays to Feature Lower Level Seats as Low as $15, Upper Level as Low as $5 & Parking for $10; Including Kids-Only Autograph Sessions & Running the Bases  —  CHICAGO - “Family Sundays” - a special fan experience …