IRS to auction deferred Mets contract  —  Darryl Strawberry did the work, but now you can collect his money from the New York Mets.  —  Next month, the Internal Revenue Service is auctioning off the remaining annuity from the deferred compensation Strawberry agreed to when he signed …

Big gap still exists in Mets' Tulowitzki talks — and Yankees check in on SS  —  The Mets maintain interest in Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, but it's clear there's a major gap to bridge in negotiations between the teams, with differences in ideas of player compensation and financial considerations, as well.

CHANGES COMING TO MLBPA AGENT CERTIFICATION … It's soon going to be harder to be an agent certified by the Major League Baseball Player's Association.  The process is about to change, and though it's been due for an update for a while, the new rules are not without questions.  Will they change anything?

Who belongs in MLB Hall of Fame?  Daily News voters discuss intriguing names on 2015 ballot  —  Hall of Fame voters (Hall of Famer Bill Madden along with John Harper and Anthony McCarron) discuss this year's class, with a focus on those nominees with New York ties.

Exclusive: Heath Bell to Nationals  —  Alaska is a long way from the Major Leagues.  Alaska is a long way from most things, really.  But that's where I was, a 19-year-old kid from Orange County with a dream to play in the pros.  I'd be lying to you if I told you my plans were playing out exactly as I'd hoped.

Phil Hughes agrees to three-year, $42 million extension to stay with Twins  —  The extension supersedes the final two years and $16 million remaining on his current contract, essentially giving the former Yankees pitcher a new five-year, $58 million pact.  —  Phil Hughes' career was revitalized last season after his move to Minnesota.

After tough injury-plagued 2014, lefty will get another shot with Latos, Simon gone  —  6/4/14: Tony Cingrani strikes out seven Giants, walks three and surrenders six hits over 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball  —  CINCINNATI — Last season, young Reds left-handed pitcher Tony Cingrani …

WORLD CHAMPIONS TROPHY TOUR  —  San Francisco Giants Announce Plans for Upcoming San Francisco Giants World Championship Trophy Tour  —  Presented by Bank of America  —  Tour begins on January 7th and concludes on Opening Day in San Francisco on April 13th

Reliever Ledezma, infielder Peterson and catcher Rohlfing awarded contracts  —  3/9/14: Brock Peterson hits a single, bringing in Jayson Werth and giving the Nationals a 3-1 lead  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins signed three players to Minor League contracts, including former Major League reliever Wil Ledezma, the club announced Monday.

Pirates Win Bidding For Jung-ho Kang  —  12:16pm: The winning bid on Kang was said to be $5,002,015 over the weekend, according to a report from Yonhap.  Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review has confirmed with a source that the bid was indeed $5MM (Twitter link).

Lake Tuscaloosa house belonging to former Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain destroyed in fire  —  A home on Lake Tuscaloosa belonging to former Crimson Tide linebacker Rolando McClain burned Monday evening, according to authorities.  —  Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office spokesman …