Extending Ryan Howard Is Not What Killed the Phillies  —  It's not your fault, Ryan.  Really.  (via Matthew Straubmuller)  —  The Phillies won five straight division titles from 2007 through 2011 but have been in freefall ever since.  After winning 102 games in 2011, they have won only 81 …

Red Sox say Masterson will start  —  BOSTON — Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington made it perfectly clear Friday that pitcher Justin Masterson will be in the rotation for the 2015 season.  —  During a conference call to reintroduce Masterson, Cherington called the 29-year-old right-hander an …

Lefty Ross Detwiler lands spot in Rangers' rotation  —  Ross Detwiler has always believed that he is a starting pitcher, not the reliever he was last season with the Washington Nationals, and he will be in the Texas Rangers' rotation in 2015.  —  General manager Jon Daniels said as much Friday morning …

Empty-handed at Winter Meetings, Yankees ready to deal  —  With a backpack slung over his shoulder, Brian Cashman stood on the sidewalk in front of the Manchester Grand Hyatt and didn't mince words in recapping his uneventful stay by the surf in San Diego.  —  “I didn't do anything,” Cashman said.

Detroit sends Porcello to Red Sox for outfielder, then deals for Reds righty  —  MLB.com Tigers reporter Jason Beck talks about the trades for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitcher Alfredo Simon  —  SAN DIEGO — Once again, the Tigers made noise at baseball's Winter Meetings, this time waiting until its final hours.

PARITY IN THE AL: A RACE TO THE MIDDLE  —  The White Sox are going for it.  With the additions of Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson — in addition to prior signings Adam LaRoche and Zach Duke — the Pale Hose have signaled to the rest of the American League Central that they're not content to rebuild anymore.

Bucs check off both pressing items with signing of Liriano, acquisition of Bastardo  —  Clint Hurdle stops by MLB Tonight to discuss the Pirates' recent success, their signings this offseason, their leadership council and more  —  SAN DIEGO — The Pirates did not arrive at the Winter Meetings …

Withrow undergoes surgery for herniated disk  —  4/26/14: Chris Withrow gets out of a jam by striking out Troy Tulowitzki in the 8th, leaving the bases loaded  —  SAN DIEGO — Dodgers reliever Chris Withrow, still recovering from June Tommy John surgery, had surgery last week to repair a herniated disk in his lower back.

Lawsuit alleges discrimination at MLB headquarters  —  NEW YORK (AP) - The highest-ranking Hispanic woman in a management position at Major League Baseball headquarters said in a lawsuit on Thursday she has faced discrimination there for two decades.  —  Sylvia Lind's lawsuit …

First three picks are positional players, then pitchers go off the board  —  2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Delino DeShields has a compact swing and shows the ability to make adjustments at the plate  —  SAN DIEGO — The buzz heading into Thursday's Rule 5 Draft was that this year's pool …

Black ‘comfortable’ heading into final year of contract  —  Padres manager Bud Black discusses the rumors surrounding the starting rotation and current roster heading into 2015  —  SAN DIEGO — As the Padres move forward this offseason, trying to greatly improve a team that hasn't been to …