The Game for Santana Is Stretching On  —  The most popular baseball game of the winter seems to be endless.  If it were being played in July, it would be in extra innings, and the innings would be whizzing by with no end in sight.  —  This is very likely how Twins pitcher Johan Santana feels.

Knoblauch Ends Silence About Report From Mitchell  —  HOUSTON — In his first public comments since the Mitchell report was released last month, the former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch said on Thursday that he was not angry about being named in the report, although he did not explicitly admit …

Sources: Cameron, Brewers reach 1-year deal  —  Free-agent center fielder Mike Cameron has reached preliminary agreement with the Brewers on a one-year contract with a club option for 2009, according to major-league sources.

Tribe to play in Progressive Field  —  Jacobs Field, the home of the Indians since 1994, will now be called Progressive Field.  —  The Indians have reached an agreement with Progressive Insurance for the naming rights of the 40,000-seat facility on the corner of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue …

Nats avoid arbitration with Cordero  —  The Nationals announced they signed closer Chad Cordero to a one-year, $6.2-million contract, thus avoiding arbitration with the 25-year-old.  —  Cordero ranks second on the Montreal/Washington franchise's all-time saves list with 128 …

Mets' Carp hopes to get into a better rhythm this year  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — A year ago, first baseman Mike Carp entered New York Mets spring training as an eager 20-year-old just enjoying hanging around big-leaguers longer than he expected.  —  But after a tough 2007 season at Double-A Binghamton, Carp has a new goal for 2008.

Hawkins adds clarity to Yanks' bullpen  —  Looking to win, veteran right-hander eager to fill middle innings  —  NEW YORK — LaTroy Hawkins has drawn duty in plenty of roles and uniforms, most recently trotting out of the bullpen to pitch for the Colorado Rockies in last year's World Series.

MLB establishes drug investigation department  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball launched a department of investigations Friday, a permanent branch of the commissioner's office responsible for looking into drug use in the sport.  —  In his report last month on drug use in baseball …

The Prospect Corner - Fernando Martinez  —  Yesterday I spent some time looking at Carlos Gomez, so it only seems appropriate to follow that up by looking at Fernando Martinez who recently finished up a more than adequate year at AA ball as an 18 year old.  The Mets are confident enough …

The Friday Interview: Mets GM Minaya is a real mensch  —  You won't find many general managers rolling around a gym floor with a group of Israeli and Palestinian kids, but then Omar Minaya isn't any ordinary GM.  —  Minaya, General Manager of the New York Mets, visited Israel this week …

Pirates to invest $4 million-$5 million in Dominican academy  —  Groundbreaking set for Jan. 22 on new Latin American headquarters  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates, aiming to overcome a decade of lacking in Latin American talent, will have a Jan. 22 groundbreaking for their new baseball academy …

Toronto Blue Jays  —  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.