Notes: Rangers, Jennings agree to deal  —  Right-hander was 2002 Rookie of the Year with Rockies  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers have finally completed an agreement with pitcher Jason Jennings on a one-year contract.  A press conference is planned for Thursday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The Twins' tough call  —  Best offers for Santana are likely already on the table  —  There is a diminishing belief that the Twins will get exactly what they want for lefthander Johan Santana, baseball's best pitcher.  Of course they could also surprise folks and decide to keep Santana, who turns 29 on March 13.

Leyritz's blood-alcohol nearly twice the legal limit  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Toxicology results show former major leaguer Jim Leyritz's blood-alcohol levels were nearly twice the legal limit the day he was involved in a fatal crash in December.  —  Leyritz, initially charged …

Infielder Valentin close to re-signing with Mets  —  NEW YORK — Jose Valentin was set to rejoin the New York Mets, closing in on a minor league contract Wednesday with an invitation to spring training.  —  The 38-year-old Valentin started last season as New York's regular second baseman …

Cubs sign Lieber  —  The Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Jon Lieber to a one-year, $3.5 million deal on Wednesday with around $4 million in incentives based on games started and innings pitched.  —  “It gives us more depth with our starting pitching,” manager Lou Piniella said.

Welcome to the web, Phil Franchise  —  Phil Hughes is already down in Tampa working out.  He also set up his own weblog.  It's brand new but he has two posts up and we're told there will be more on the way.  —  We're pleased to say that Phil linked to this blog, so it's the least we can do to return the favor.

Towers could be adding outfielder  —  Padres GM considers supplementing roster … Kevin Towers: Thank you everyone for joining this chat.  I will try to get through as many questions as I can in the time allotted.  Let's get started.  —  Q: Who was your favorite player growing up as a kid?

Valuing Nate Robertson  —  I was sort of surprised to see the Detroit Tigers locking up Nate Robertson for three years and $21.25 million.  While I normally like buying out free agent years, I don't think this was a good move.  The Tigers bought out only one year for not much of a discount.

The Worst Form of Government, Except for All the Others (Probably)  —  Apparently they were voting for something or other in Michigan yesterday.  But the bigger election story came, as election stories so often do, from Washington.  Only this one had nothing to do with the White House.

Dodgers RHP Schmidt making good progress  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti delivered an encouraging report Wednesday on pitcher Jason Schmidt, limited to six starts last year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.  —  “If he continues to progress …

Cubs Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Two-Star Prospects  —  Just Missing: Kevin Hart, RHP; Chris Huseby, RHP; Larry Suarez, RHP  —  1. Geovany Soto, C  —  Drafted: 11th round, 2007, American Military Academy (PR)