Feds, MLB probe adviser, who has worked closely with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, for possible performance-enhancing drugs link  —  Bosch, a well-known figure among current and former Latin ballplayers in South Florida, has advised the embattled Yankee superstar on nutrition …

Chacin, Rockies avoid arbitration with two-year deal  —  The Rockies and Jhoulys Chacin avoided arbitration with a two-year, $6.5 million deal that the right-hander announced Saturday.  The team hasn't confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.  —  Chacin, who turned 25 this month …

(US Presswire)  —  While the Seattle Mariners are said to have tried to start contract talks with superstar pitcher Felix Hernandez, there are no serious talks taking place at the moment, sources familiar with the situation tell CBSSports.com.  And if the Mariners are interested …

If ex-NY Mets, Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine wants back, Mets TV is the place to be  —  MLB sources say SportsNet New York brass has reached out to Valentine to discuss a possible studio role on Mets telecasts.  —  If Bobby Valentine wants to keep his face in baseball, New York and SNY is the place to do it.

Cubs Designate Lendy Castillo For Assignment  —  The Cubs officially announced the signing of pitcher Carlos Villanueva to a two-year deal this afternoon.  In order to make room for him, Chicago has designated fellow right-hander Lendy Castillo for assignment.

Red Sox agree to minor league deal with OF Ryan Sweeney  —  According to a major league source, the Red Sox have reached an agreement on a minor league deal with outfielder Ryan Sweeney.  Sweeney, who turns 28 next month, spent 2012 with the Red Sox after being acquired from the A's …

Rangers agree to terms with INF/OF Jeff Baker and LHP Nate Robertson  —  Major League veterans bring club's spring roster to 59  —  The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has agreed to terms with infielder/outfielder Jeff Baker and left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson on minor league contracts …

Jones to help instruct Padres this spring  —  SAN DIEGO — It's been over three decades since Randy Jones last slipped on a Padres uniform, which is why it will no doubt feel a little surreal when he does so again during Spring Training.  —  But this much the 1976 Cy Young Award winner …

Rule Change Eliminates a Fake Pickoff  —  When news of its demise reached the men who will enforce it, nobody mourned.  The ol' fake-to-third, throw-to-first pickoff move, a pitcher's trick that fooled only the most gullible base runners, will now be a balk.  —  “It's funny,” the umpire Ted Barrett said.

Labor deal could thwart Mets' pursuit of Bourn  —  Baseball's owners succeeded in getting some cost certainty in their First-Year Player Draft budgets.  They were happy about this.  Meanwhile, players got the number of free agents requiring Draft pick compensation reduced.  They were happy about that.

Friday Baseball Post  —  I said last week I had nothing particular to say about Stan Musial, but that's not quite true; I just wanted to wait a week out of respect.  But now that I've done that, it's time to consider how his passing affects...the All-Time All-Alive Team and the All-Time All-Dead Team.