MB Changes Cuban Policy, Yoan Moncada Free To Sign  —  Major League Baseball has changed course and is now allowing teams to sign Cuban players under the “general license” from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, paving the way for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada and others to be able to sign.

‘Things are still alive’ on Jonathan Papelbon trade front  —  Talks between the Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers involving closer Jonathan Papelbon have been portrayed as everything from “serious” to “dead” over the last week or so.  —  The fact of the matter, according to sources …

Dan Duquette puts Toronto in past, focuses on Orioles  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Dan Duquette's job description includes making trades that will help improve the Baltimore Orioles.  —  This offseason, Duquette was in the middle of a potential blockbuster deal.  —  Duquette, the Orioles president …

Players Avoiding Arbitration: Tuesday  —  With more than 30 players still needing to settle arbitration situations (as of Tuesday morning, that is), word of agreements should continue to steadily pour in over the weeks.  All of the outstanding situations — as well as those that have already been settled …

‘Sad day’: 1984 Tiger Dave Bergman dies at 61  —  Bergman played first base, outfield for Tigers from 1984-92, won World Series in '84  —  Dave Bergman was asked Friday whether he still had some fight left.  —  “I do,” he said, according to a family friend.

Five To Six Teams Still Trying To Deal For Hamels  —  2:58pm: Philadelphia continues to ask for top catching prospect Blake Swihart from Boston, tweets Nightengale, with the Red Sox refusing to part with him in a deal for Hamels.  —  2:08pm: Though Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr …

If Shields' price has dropped, Yankees should open wallet  —  James Shields has thrown over 200 innings in eight straight seasons and made up for a dip in strikeouts by improving his control last year  —  The cumbersome contracts that helped pave the way to the Yankees' most recent (though …

Marlins slugger suffered facial fractures after being hit by a pitch in September  —  MLB Network Insider Peter Gammons checks in on Giancarlo Stanton, who is preparing for his toughest battle as a big leaguer  —  MIAMI — Physically and mentally, Giancarlo Stanton is ready …

Travis d'Arnaud and Bob Geren make a trade... for uniform numbers  —  Travis d'Arnaud will wear No. 7 this year, while bench coach Bob Geren will wear No. 15 (Rubin, Feb. 3).  —  The No. 7 is associated with d'Arnaud's uniform, instead of No. 15, when viewing custom jersey options at MLB's team store (MLB.com, Feb. 3).

Rockies To Sign John Axford To Minor League Deal  —  2:53pm: MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports that if Axford makes the Major League roster, he will earn a $2.6MM base salary (Twitter link).  That's a fairly significant base salary for a minor league deal and likely explains why Axford was willing to take a non-guaranteed contract.