Ellsbury getting close to a seven-year deal with the Yankees  —  Star free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is in serious talks with the Yankees and the sides appear to be close to reaching a seven-year deal. sources said.  —  The longtime Red Sox is said to be about to choose the Yankees …

Mets, Curtis Granderson talks intensify  —  NEW YORK — Talks between the New York Mets and Curtis Granderson's representatives intensified late Tuesday, and a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPNNewYork.com the organization is negotiating to land the free-agent outfielder on a three-year deal.

Rays “hopeful” of re-signing Loney  —  The Rays still need a first baseman, and team president Matt Silverman said this morning they are “hopeful” of re-signing free agent James Loney, who is also of considerable interest to the Pirates.  —  “He's someone that we're interested in …

Arizona motivated to make a trade  —  Acquiring an elite starting pitcher tops the Diamondbacks' offseason wish list  —  Some organizations prefer to conduct their business under the cover of darkness.  The Arizona Diamondbacks are not among them.  General manager Kevin Towers …

Robinson Cano had Seattle meeting with Mariners: source  —  The Mariners are giving this their best shot.  Robinson Cano's representatives met with Mariners officials Tuesday in Seattle, according to an industry source.  —  “The meeting went very well,” the source told the Post Wednesday.

Rosenthal: On ‘second’ thought, Reds unlikely to trade Phillips  —  For much of the offseason, many in baseball expected the Cincinnati Reds to trade second baseman Brandon Phillips.  —  A deal, however, appears increasingly unlikely, according to major league sources.

A's acquire Gentry, Gregerson on another busy day  —  Oakland picks up outfielder, setup man in trades, also adds reliever Lindblom  —  OAKLAND — When he finally came up for breath after a 24-hour shopping binge — one of his biggest to date that netted him five players in four separate moves — Billy Beane began to laugh.

Rockies To Sign Justin Morneau  —  The Rockies have agreed to sign Justin Morneau to a two-year deal worth roughly $13MM, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).  —  Morneau hit .259/.323/.411 with 17 homers in 2013, a slash line that is a slight improvement …

Royals, Rays, Dodgers Interested In Mark Ellis  —  The Royals, Rays and Dodgers are all interested in second baseman Mark Ellis, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  Rosenthal goes on to opine that at the moment, Ellis isn't a great fit for the Rays — a point with which I agree.

Phillies Acquire Brad Lincoln  —  The Phillies announced that they acquired right-handed pitcher Brad Lincoln from the Blue Jays in exchange for catcher Erik Kratz and minor league left-hander Rob Rasmussen.  —  Lincoln, 28, appeared in 22 games for Toronto in 2013 and posted a 3.98 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9.

SF Giants minor leaguers involved in car-van wreck in Scottsdale  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Thirteen people were involved in a wreck at a Scottsdale intersection Tuesday morning.  —  It happened at Chaparral and Scottsdale roads.  —  Details were not immediately available …

Clark becomes 1st ex-player to lead MLBPA  —  SAN DIEGO — Tony Clark has become the first former big leaguer to lead the baseball players' union, pending a vote by the general membership.  —  The MLBPA's executive board voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Clark to replace Michael Weiner, who died Nov. 22 of brain cancer.