Padres trade Barfield for Cleveland prospects  —  The Padres have ignited the hot-stove season Wednesday, trading second baseman Josh Barfield to the Indians for highly regarded Triple-A third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Triple-A pitcher Andrew Brown.  —  Barfield, 23, gave the Padres …

Zito contacts new Rangers skipper  —  Washington says the lefty is considering Texas this offseason  —  ARLINGTON — New Rangers manager Ron Washington has been hearing from many old friends since being hired on Sunday.  —  Among those who called was free-agent pitcher Barry Zito.

Padres choose Black as manager  —  The Padres have decided on Bud Black as their manager, according to major league sources.  —  Black, 49, is expected to attend the team's award banquet in downtown San Diego on Thursday.  Black, a former San Diego State pitcher who lives in Rancho Santa Fe …

Cubs name Gerald Perry hitting coach  —  The Chicago Cubs today announced that former first baseman and outfielder Gerald Perry has agreed to a two-year deal to become the Major League club's hitting coach.  —  Perry, 46, has been a Major League hitting coach for seven seasons …

New York Yankees  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Dodgers Promote White, Hire Watson  —  After seeing the impact of Logan White's draftees on the Dodgers' 2006 roster, general manager Ned Colletti came away impressed.  —  So impressed, that in remaking the Dodgers' scouting and player development staff roster, Colletti not only kept White, but he promoted him.

Rockies would be wise to move Jennings  —  The Rockies' sales pitch could go like this:  —  Available in trade: 200-inning pitcher, signed for 2007 season at $5.5 million.  Posted 3.78 ERA last season, 12th best in the National League.  Won at Coors Field when the park was a hitter's paradise.

Verlander receives rookie honor  —  Pitcher recognized by peers with MLB Players Choice Award  —  DETROIT — The second of what will likely be a triple crown of rookie honors for Justin Verlander came Wednesday, when he was honored as the American League's Outstanding Rookie as part of the MLB Players Choice Awards.

Young staff buoys Pirates' hopes  —  Things have gotten so bad for the Pittsburgh Pirates that even Batman took a few swings at the organization this year.  —  Actor Michael Keaton, a suburban Pittsburgh native who played the Caped Crusader in the 1989 movie Batman, criticized the team's owners …

Prospectus Today  —  The Decline of the Fall  —  Here's a travel tip: if you're going away for five days, and you wear both contacts and glasses, remember to pack the latter.  Especially if you're going to watch a lot of bad baseball.  —  As you read what follows, remember the golden rule around here: I Am Not A Scout.

Lopes wants to stress Phils' need for speed  —  Seldom does the first-base coach get this much attention, but, hey, Davey Lopes is here to do more than pick up the helmets, and everyone knows it.  —  Part of the Phillies' beefed-up coaching staff, Lopes drew a crowd of reporters during …

Phils essentially held hostage by Burrell's no-trade clause … PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Pat Gillick is quite nimble for a 69-year-old.  Just think of all the hoops he jumped through before dealing Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu, high-profile players with big salaries and complete no-trade clauses.