Padres, James Shields agree to 4-year deal, according to source  —  Shields joins a revamped Padres' team that has been very active this winter.  —  The Padres have agreed to sign free agent right-hander James Shields to a four-year contract that includes a club option for a fifth season, according to major-league sources.

Dolan: “Start Rooting For The Nets Because The Knicks Don't Want You”  —  New York Knicks and Cablevision CEO James Dolan lashed out at a lifelong fan over email, suggesting the fan was an alcoholic who should start rooting for the Nets “because the Knicks don't want you.”

GM says Marlins may also add bullpen help prior to Spring Training  —  Marlins general manager Dan Jennings looks at the potential of the team's rotation for 2015, including when Jose Fernandez could return  —  MIAMI — Dan Haren is ready to be part of the Marlins' rotation and ace Jose Fernandez …

Third baseman was arbitration-eligible for the first time  —  Todd Frazier ascended to a higher level with 29 homers and 20 steals in 2014 and should sustain his top-tier numbers in Cincinnati  —  The Reds have avoided an arbitration hearing with third baseman Todd Frazier by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal.

2015 Prospects: Top 101 Prospects of 2015 by Nick J. Faleris, Chris Mellen and BP Prospect Staff  —  The Twins' Byron Buxton is, for the second year in a row, the best prospect in baseball.

Barry Bonds embraces ‘wonderful’ honor  —  Few understand the history of Bay Area sports like Barry Bonds, who has lived it and made it.  —  He's now getting honored for it.  —  “It's great.  Being a Bay Area guy, it's awesome.  It's wonderful,” said Bonds of his selection to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

To Alabama youth, Whitley a teacher first, big leaguer second  —  6/6/14: Chase Whitley earns his first Major League win as he fans three and allows two runs on five hits vs. the Royals  —  NEW YORK — As Chase Whitley walked to the mound in his Yankees uniform for the first time last May …

Finding A Home For Rickie Weeks  —  This time of year, few free agents will require a sizable commitment to add.  While James Shields provided a notable exception, the bulk of remaining free agents can be had for relatively modest investments.  Last winter, seemingly innocuous deals for Pat Neshek …

Mets' Curtis Granderson looking for big bounce back season in 2015  —  Granderson, who will be 34 in March, signed a four-year, $60-million deal before last season and then batted .227 with a .326 on-base percentage and a .388 slugging percentage.  —  Curtis Granderson knows “the spotlight is always going to be pretty bright.”