MLB, NPB reach basic agreement on posting system  —  Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball have reached a basic agreement on a new posting system, sources said Thursday.  —  It is thought that an agreement has been reached after MLB requested a posting fee cap of $20 million.

Royals Acquire Norichika Aoki  —  The Royals have acquired outfielder Norichika Aoki from the Brewers in exchange for left-hander Will Smith, the Brewers have announced via press release.  The trade was first reported last night by the folks at the Royal Revival blog (on Twitter).

Rangers tried to trade for Arencibia before non-tender  —  The Rangers had serious trade discussions with the Blue Jays about catcher J.P. Arencibia before he was non-tendered on Monday, according to industry sources.  —  A trade was close to being completed but the Rangers were reluctant to add another arbitration-eligible player.

Rangers announce non-roster signings: Jose Contreras among them  —  The Texas Rangers announced today that the club signed three free agents, right-handed pitchers Jose Contreras and Nate Adcock and outfielder Bryan Petersen to 2014 minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to major league spring training.

Twins Designate Liam Hendriks For Assignment  —  The Twins have designated right-hander Liam Hendriks for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for the newly signed Phil Hughes, according to Tyler Mason of FOX Sports North (on Twitter).  —  Hendriks, who turns 25 in February …

Red Sox To Sign Edward Mujica  —  The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a two-year, $9.5MM contract with right-hander Edward Mujica, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.  Mujica, who is represented by Octagon, will take a physical today, according to Passan.

With Ticket Revenue Down, Yankees Must Keep Spending  —  A Revealing Look at Their Ticket Revenue Shows the Importance of Making the Playoffs  —  When the Yankees announced their $85 million signing of catcher Brian McCann earlier this week, owner Hal Steinbrenner cited the team's …

Measuring Pitching with TrackMan  —  The Secrets of Fastball Spin … Fastball Spin  —  An average MLB fastball makes 2200 revolutions per minute (RPMs) on its way to home plate.  Spin is just one of 27 measurements provided by Trackman's technology.  Trackman's military grade Doppler radar …

Nats eyeing Downs to fill lefty-reliever void  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are in need of left-handed relievers, and MLB.com has learned that the team has expressed interest in Scott Downs, who played for the Expos from 2000-04.  A baseball source said the Nats have inquired about Downs at least twice.

COLORADO ROCKIES  —  COLORADO MANAGEMENT BELIEVES JUSTIN MORNEAU CAN FIND HIS STROKE AND OFFER POWER AND EXPERIENCE  —  The Denver Post  —  At age 32, with his glory days in the rearview mirror, Justin Morneau is looking for a new beginning at the foot of the Rockies.

Feds charge trio with kidnapping, extorting Cuban ballplayer with Texas Rangers  —  Leonys Martin Tapanes seemed like yet another Cuban baseball player with tremendous promise when he signed a $15.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2011.  —  But there apparently …

Cherington takes Ellsbury's departure in stride  —  General manager begins weighing potential options for Red Sox in center field  —  BOSTON — Jacoby Ellsbury's imminent signing with the Yankees does not fall under the category of stunning for Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington.