Royals' competition for signing Eric Hosmer?  Look at these teams  —  Royals general manager Dayton Moore prefers a simple analogy for free agency: Musical chairs.  —  There are participants and music and there are a limited number of chairs.  There is also a time constraint, and at some point, the music will stop.

Roy Halladay remembered for his hard work and generosity  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) A fierce competitor on the mound, Roy Halladay was generous and gentle away from the field.  —  The eight-time All-Star loved his family, baseball and flying.  —  Halladay's passion for piloting cost …

Red Sox promote Dana LeVangie from bullpen to pitching coach  —  BOSTON — In 27 years with the Red Sox, Dana LeVangie has been a minor league catcher, a bullpen catcher, a pro scout, a major league advance scout, a catching instructor and a bullpen coach.  —  One thing he hasn't done: pitch.

MLB has tentative Shohei Otani agreement, with one hurdle left … Major League Baseball and its Japanese counterparts have reached a tentative understanding to grandfather the now-expired posting system for one more year, clearing yet another hurdle to facilitate Shohei Otani coming to an MLB team this offseason.

Yankees interviewing bench coach Rob Thomson for manager job  —  The process of finding Joe Girardi's replacement is underway.  —  Rob Thomson, ex-skipper Girardi's bench coach, was slated to become the first candidate to be interviewed for the Yankees' managerial vacancy on Wednesday, a source confirmed.

Jerry Jones Is Said to Hire David Boies to Block Roger Goodell's Contract  —  Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the N.F.L.'s most powerful figures, has escalated his feud with Commissioner Roger Goodell, threatening to sue the league and some fellow team owners …

Arizona Diamondbacks trade history: Notable deals … CONNECT  —  Agent Scott Boras expects the Diamondbacks to be involved in the bidding for his newest superstar client, J.D. Martinez.  Or, at least, Boras doesn't see a good reason for the club and owner Ken Kendrick not to try to pursue the slugging free-agent outfielder.

Can the Cubs find a trade partner for Jason Heyward?  —  Photos of Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Theo Epstein can do the impossible.  —  He built a Red Sox team that ended an 86-year championship drought by winning the World Series in 2004.

Despite recent slippage, Louisville Bats extend deal with Cincinnati Reds |  Sullivan  —  The Louisville Bats have renewed their vows with the Cincinnati Reds.  The marriage, however, is showing some strain.  —  Six straight losing seasons have eaten away at the home team's fan base.

Outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez Leaves Cuba To Sign With MLB Team  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—Julio Pablo Martinez, a 21-year-old center fielder who has been one of the top young players in Cuba, has left the country to pursue a contract with a major league team.