Yankees To Sign Brennan Boesch  —  The Yankees have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Brennan Boesch, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (all Twitter links).  The Scott Boras client obtained a Major League deal worth $1.5MM plus incentives, Heyman reports.

NY Mets great and Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver feeling better, winning his battle with Lyme disease  —  It's been a living hell of uncertainty, confusion, depression and downright fear.  The Mets' ‘Franchise,’ author of 311 career victories was not himself after his diagnosis …

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers have twice tried to lock up All-Star shortstop Elvis Andrus to a long-term contract and are expected to make one more run at it this year, but people familiar with their thinking suggest that if the Rangers can't secure him to a multiyear deal they will likely trade him in “10 to 12 months.”

Matt Carpenter focuses on hitting  —  • By Rick Hummel rhummel@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8196  —  JUPITER, Fla.   • Sometimes, when a baseball player is asked to change positions he places so much emphasis on his defense that his offense suffers.

Jose Iglesias no longer a lock  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jose Iglesias was home in Miami getting ready to celebrate the holidays with his family when he learned the Red Sox had signed Stephen Drew to play shortstop.  —  There would be no competition for a position Iglesias thought he would be given a chance to earn.

Jose Santiago Signs With Mariners For $205,000  —  Remember the unnamed converted catcher profiled in Baseball America last month from a recent private workout in the Dominican Republic?  His name is Jose Santiago, and he has signed with the Mariners for $205,000.

After pitching BP, Hughes expresses optimism  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes threw 26 pitches in a batting-practice session on Thursday and said that he believes it is still possible to be ready for the beginning of the regular season.  —  Hughes was sidelined last month …

Spring training leftovers for breakfast  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro is one of the many connections made by executive vice president Dan Duquette that may pay off for the Orioles.  —  Niekro is working for the Orioles as a consultant of sorts, as he mentors knuckleballer …

USA (with David Wright) to play Dominican Republic (and Robinson Cano) Thursday night  —  MIAMI — The Subway Series won't start for another two months.  In the meantime, pick your superhero.  —  Is it David Wright, the aptly named Captain America of the World Baseball Classic?

Orr's Homer Leads Phillies Over Pirates  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Pete Orr hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.  —  Orr, a veteran utilityman, connected off former Phillies left-hander Mike Zagurski, hitting a long drive to right.

Pelfrey Struggles for Twins in Loss to Red Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Mike Pelfrey gave up five runs in two innings as he tries to accelerate his return from Tommy John surgery, and the Minnesota Twins lost to the Boston Red Sox 7-3 Thursday.  —  Pelfrey had the elbow-reconstruction operation …

Minor League Transactions: Feb. 26-March 8  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Feb. 26-March 8.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: RHP Josh Booty  —  It's official: The Diamondbacks actually signed 37-year-old Josh Booty …

Kelly awaits second opinion before opting for elbow surgery … PEORIA, Ariz. — Casey Kelly is awaiting a second opinion before making a final decision on elbow reconstruction surgery.  —  But the 23-year-old starting pitcher Thursday said there appears to be few good options other than “Tommy John” surgery.