Yankees likely to pass on Upton  —  On Jan. 13, 2012, the Yankees stunned the baseball industry by signing Hiroki Kuroda and acquiring Michael Pineda from Seattle.  —  On Jan. 13, 2013, the Yankees could send a similar thunderbolt with a trade for Arizona outfielder Justin Upton.

Source: Mets work out Brian Wilson  —  The Beard may be switching coasts.  —  Brian Wilson worked out privately for New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson on Saturday in California, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com.  —  Wilson, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery last April after two early season appearances.

Sources: Interpreters OK on mound  —  When the Texas Rangers decide this season that it's time to go to the mound to talk with Yu Darvish, the manager or pitching coach won't necessarily be trotting out there alone.  —  Baseball owners approved a rule change last week, several sources have told ESPN …

Bobby Valentine backs Mike Piazza, Pudge Rodriguez  —  Bobby Valentine does believe that “time will heal all wounds.  These guys have received a slap on the wrist, but I think eventually those who should be there will be there.”  —  Bobby Valentine managed both Pudge Rodriguez and Mike Piazza.

Dickey, Kimbrel, Pettitte set to pitch for USA  —  Some of the latest players to commit to playing for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic include the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, one of the game's most experienced left-handers and one of baseball's best young relievers.

Izturis signed, camp invites  —  The Reds on Monday announced 15 Spring Training non-roster invites.  One of the more newsworthy is they signed veteran SS Cesar Izturis to a minor league deal.  —  Here is the full list: RHP Nick Christiani, LHP Wilkin De La Rosa, RHP Justin Freeman …

Marlins Park will host ‘Winter Warm Up’ on Feb. 9, replacing Fanfest  —  The Marlins today released details of their annual promotional event where fans can buy individual game tickets and meet Marlins players.  —  Miami Marlins Winter Warm Up, which will replace the event that had been called Fanfest …

O's, Hunter agree to terms, avoiding arbitration  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles came to terms with right-hander Tommy Hunter on Monday afternoon, agreeing to a one-year, $1.82 million contract for 2013 that allows the two sides to avoid arbitration.  —  The 26-year-old Hunter …

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … When the Brewers were foundering in late July amid a bullpen crisis, GM Doug Melvin decided it was time to trade Zack Greinke, who had spurned overtures to sign a contract extension.  —  Melvin figured it best to recoup …

Baseball America ranks the Cardinals' top 10 prospects  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  TOWER GROVE  • The current issue of Baseball America arrived at my doorstep over the weekend, and a few pages before the magazine revealed its top 10 prospects …

McCann confident he'll be in Opening Day lineup  —  Entering final year of deal, Braves catcher recovering from shoulder surgery  —  ATLANTA — As the early days of the new year have elapsed, Brian McCann has replaced a fear of uncertainty with a confident sense that his surgically repaired right shoulder …

2013 ZiPS Projections - Pittsburgh Pirates  —  Dan Szymborski's ZiPS projections, which have typically appeared in the pages of Baseball Think Factory, are being released at FanGraphs this year.  Below are the projections for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Szymborski can be found on Twitter at @DSzymborski.