Blue Jays reach agreement with Clayton  —  The Blue Jays, acting to solidify their middle-infield defense, have reached agreement with free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  The deal, which is pending a physical …

Say hello, wave goodbye  —  This time, I'm afraid, all the experts, insiders, and rumor pushers are right.  Like one of his legendary moonshots toward the Mass Pike, Manny Ramirez is going, going, gone.  —  Now, unless this is your first visit to this warped corner of cyberspace …

Snubbed Pujols says MVP should be on playoff team  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Albert Pujols thinks he was snubbed.  —  The St. Louis Cardinals' slugger is upset he lost out to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League MVP award, saying Wednesday the honor should go to someone on a playoff team.

BOMBERS MAKE WINNING BID FOR IGAWA  —  The Yankees winning the posting bid on Japanese lefty Kei Igawa yesterday doesn't make their rotation whole.  In fact, several talent evaluators raked their heads when informed the Yankees' winning bid was $26 million for a pitcher many believe is no more than a fourth starter.

Barajas signed deal before backing out  —  GM Ricciardi says catcher, Jays had 'more than a handshake'  —  TORONTO — As far as the Blue Jays were concerned, they had signed free-agent catcher Rod Barajas.  After all, he had signed an agreement.  —  On Tuesday, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi …

Q&A with Nats president Stan Kasten  —  Free agency, Soriano, Winter Meetings among topics discussed  —  Despite all the money being spent on Major League free agents, Nationals president Stan Kasten has not wavered from his philosophy, which is rebuild the farm system.

Notes: White Sox not shopping Crede  —  Third baseman mentioned in several trade rumors  —  CHICAGO — White Sox fans anxiously anticipated Joe Crede's transformation from a top prospect in 2002, through a couple of years of offensive inconsistency but defensive excellence …

Glavine yet to receive Braves offer; Mets return likely  —  NEW YORK — Tom Glavine hasn't received a contract offer from the Atlanta Braves as he nears a decision on where he wants to play next season, a development that has increased the likelihood he will return to the New York Mets.

Player Profile  —  Alfonso Soriano  —  Alfonso Soriano is one of those players whose value is constantly debated among the more casual fan and the statistically-inclined folk.  He consistently drives in a great deal of runs, hits for power and steals bases.

Phillies back out of deal with Borowski after physical … The Philadelphia Phillies backed away from a multiyear agreement with free-agent reliever Joe Borowski because of concerns over Borowski's shoulder after the pitcher took a physical, several baseball sources told ESPN.com.

Garcia re-registers on Mariners' radar  —  Price of pitchers in a dwindling pool improves Freddy's lot  —  The news just keeps getting worse for the Mariners.  They haven't signed a free-agent starting pitcher, nor are they particularly close to doing so.

The Rumor Mill: Prelude to a Miss?  —  For much of the last two baseball seasons, there has been a lot of talk - and endless speculation — about the possibility of left-hander Barry Zito coming to New York.  —  With just a few days left before the start from MLB's Winter Meetings in Orlando …

Matthews aims to show he's some catch  —  Defense has always come naturally for Gary Matthews Jr., whose spectacular leaping catch to rob Houston's Mike Lamb of a home run July 1 has been widely hailed as baseball's best play of 2006.  —  So, the Angels' new center fielder, who signed an eye-popping …

Padres seeking slugger Ramirez?  —  Counsell spurns S.D.; Yanks get Igawa rights  —  The Padres haven't ruled out trading for Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez despite concerns about his salary, his subpar defense, his reputation for being lackadaisical and his apparent preference to remain in the American League.