Helton seeks quick deal  —  Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said Saturday he would consider approving a trade to the Boston Red Sox, but wants a quick resolution to avoid a stream of distractions.  —  Helton was asked Saturday night whether he has provided the Rockies a deadline or …

Williams puts scouting staff on notice  —  It wasn't the first time White Sox senior director of player personnel Duane Shaffer has had tire tracks across his back, but this time it was general manager Ken Williams who threw Shaffer underneath the bus.  —  During Saturday's town hall-style meeting …

Ex-Mets GM Devine dies at 90  —  ST. LOUIS - Bing Devine, who helped lay the groundwork for the Mets' 1969 World Series victory, died yesterday, He was 90.  —  Devine, who was the assistant to team president George Weiss in 1965-66 and was the team president/general manager in 1967 …

The Royals caravan runs on fans' hope  —  This is the third year of the Royals caravan column, which means by baseball standards this thing is now a full-fledged tradition.  Three years is a long time with the Royals.  Heck, Tony Peña didn't last three years.

A BUSY JOE  —  Joe Mauer isn't a big thing only in St. Paul anymore.  The home-grown star talks about his rising fame and his game.  —  The hometown hero was undecided late Saturday afternoon about whether he would attend that night's concert at Xcel Energy Center.

Spring forward  —  Willie gets early start as Bernie ponders the end  —  With pitchers and catchers barely two weeks away, some thoughts and observations on Willie Randolph, who will be arriving early to spring training to begin sorting out his pitching, and Bernie Williams, who, it appears, may not be arriving at all.

Joe, Alex on hot seat  —  Joe Torre may be entering his last season as Yankee manager.  Unless his team wins again, and that means win more than the American League East.  If the Yankees do win the World Series again, it is hard to see him going anywhere.  He will have finally won that fifth Series.

Jenkins, Yost reconnect over winter break  —  Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost and embattled outfielder Geoff Jenkins have buried the hatchet, and not in each other's back, according to Yost.  —  "Speaking from my side of it, there's absolutely no disconnect," said Yost, who has spoken …

Stars are on ball at autograph show … In a private room at one end of the 300 level of the Baltimore Convention Center, four Hall of Famers sat at separate tables, signing baseballs, bats, jerseys and helmets that later would be shipped as pre-orders and sold.