Phillies, Durbin Agree to 1-Year Deal  —  The Phillies are bringing back a familiar face to fortify their bullpen.  —  Sources told MLB.com today the Phillies and right-hander Chad Durbin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, pending a physical.  The deal includes a club option for 2014.

The latest on Michael Bourn, Mets and Draft Picks  —  The Mets are said to have legit interest in signing free-agent OF Michael Bourn to a long-term deal that would likely be backloaded.  —  To keep from losing their first-round draft pick as compensation for signing Bourn, Sandy Alderson wants MLB to rule that his pick is protected.

Kelly Johnson, Rays reach agreement  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have reached agreement with free-agent second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract, according to major league sources.  —  The move will enable the Rays to use Ben Zobrist in right field as well at second base …

Introduction of Taft headlines busy NatsFest  —  William Howard Taft joined Teddy, Tom, George and Abe in the Presidents Race lineup slated for the 2013 season.  (AP)  —  WASHINGTON — Only in Washington could politics and baseball intertwine so effortlessly.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 first basemen  —  Astros' Singleton, Cardinals' Adams, Brewers' Morris among group of big bats … A year ago, when the Top 10 first base prospects were announced, it wasn't the deepest list in the world, with just the top three names hitting the overall Top 100 at the start of the 2012 season.

Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer voice displeasure over change to fake pickoff move  —  DETROIT — For a pitcher like Rick Porcello, a new rule change that will no longer allow pitchers to fake a pickoff to third base and throw to first isn't a big deal.  —  For Max Scherzer, it's huge.

Brewers won't close door to Lohse  —  MILWAUKEE — The Draft compensation attached to free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse would not deter the Brewers if his price was right, principal owner Mark Attanasio said Sunday.  —  Attanasio left open the possibility for more moves in the two weeks that remain …

Rays may still be shopping for bat, bullpen help  —  Even with deals to bring back DH Luke Scott and Kyle Farnsworth set to be completed this week, and spring training opening in just more than two weeks, the Rays are still on the lookout for help.  Maybe another bat and another bullpen arm.

A's confident they can do it again  —  Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle  —  Last year, the Angels made the big offseason splash by signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson - but the A's were the surprise winners of the AL West.  —  This year, the Angels again were the big-news team …

Cruz to get first shot at third, Dodgers talking to Rolen  —  LOS ANGELES - Dodgers manager Don Mattingly reiterated Saturday that Luis Cruz will get the first shot at being the team's everyday third baseman this spring.  —  But that didn't stop Mattingly from talking with Scott Rolen to feel …

Cubs officially announce Villanueva signing  —  During the Cubs Convention last weekend, Carlos Villanueva was included in a slide show about new players added to the team.  On Saturday, the right-hander was finally officially added.  —  The Cubs announced they have formally signed Villanueva …