White Sox invite 24 players to spring training  —  CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with the following free agents: right-handed pitchers Jairo Asencio, Scott Carroll, Jesse Crain, Logan Kensing, Arcenio Leon, J.D. Martin and Brad Penny …

Why Jung-Ho Kang Doesn't Need to be a Brilliant Fielder  —  It's very rare for a Major League club to sign a presumed every-day starter to a contract that will total either 4 years/$17M (a sum that includes a 2019 buy-out plus posting fee) or 5 years/$21.5M (a sum that includes a 2019 team option plus posting fee).

Fenway flawed: Explaining why Red Sox aren't involved in James Shields bidding  —  Photo by:  —  When the offseason began, the widespread presumption throughout baseball was that the Red Sox would pursue a reunion with Jon Lester, but only to a point.  And if the market for the ace lefty went beyond …

Phillies dysphunction  —  LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg spent about 10 minutes trying to explain himself, but before he'd go too far and say something he might regret, he inserted awkward laugher into the conversation.  —  Even when the questions changed …

Yankees radio voice John Sterling loses home in New Jersey fire, feels outpouring of love from friends  —  For reality told Sterling that there is stark uncertainty.  No one plans for moments like these.  Tuesday night he had a roof over his head.  A day later he wasn't so sure.

Phillies have strong interest in Chad Billingsley  —  The Phillies are showing serious interest in free-agent right-hander Chad Billingsley, a major-league source tells CSNPhilly.com.  —  Billingsley, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Dodgers and was a mainstay in that team's starting rotation …

Scherzer pact: Gets $35M per last 3 seasons  —  Max Scherzer will be paid a salary of $35 million per year in each of the final three seasons of his contract with the Washington Nationals — except all $35 million will be deferred without interest, according to a source familiar with the contract.

Pitcher's seven-year contract includes opt-out clause that can be exercised after 2017  —  MLB.com's Pete McCarthy and Jim Duquette break down Masahiro Tanaka's decision to head to the Bronx and what he will bring to the Yankees  —  NEW YORK — When the Yankees were invited to exchange pleasantries …

Brewers Exploring Pitching Upgrades  —  1:45pm: GM Doug Melvin tells Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that his club hasn't made a play for Shields and has not made a phone call to his camp.  The team's priority, according to Melvin, is upgrading the bullpen, where they'd like to add one or two pieces.