Source: Jennings, Rangers agree to 1-year deal … The Texas Rangers have reached agreement with free-agent pitcher Jason Jennings on a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $4 million, according to a baseball source.  —  Jennings passed a physical exam earlier this week and the team expects …

Fans might not be happy with Santana trade  —  The Twins are expected to trade their star lefthander before spring training, and it might not be for any immediate help.  —  The Johan Santana trade discussions have reached a quiet but crucial stage.  —  The Twins know what they can get.

Cards consider inviting Gonzalez to their camp  —  Two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez is seeking another swing at a comeback after nearly three years since his last at-bat, and the Cardinals have discussed extending him an invitation to spring training.  —  Gonzalez, 38, has been working …

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 …

Brewers, Vargas agree to deal  —  Milwaukee, right-hander avoid arbitration with one-year pact  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers avoided arbitration with right-hander Claudio Vargas on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.6 million contract, leaving three arbitration-eligible players yet to sign.

Holliday goodwill worth risk  —  Memo to Matt Holliday: Happy birthday, bubba.  —  Make that a belated happy birthday.  The shoulda-been National League MVP turned 28 on Tuesday.  —  I know what you're thinking.  If only the Monfort Bros. had gift-wrapped him a long-term deal that would ensure …

Rays Close To Deal With OF Gomes  —  ST. PETERSBURG - As the Rays continue their efforts to sign the last of their arbitration-eligible players, their pursuit of a utility player capable of playing third base may be heating up.  —  Though nothing was finalized Wednesday night …

‘Steroids have been in the game for a long, long time’  —  Former Yankees manager Stump Merrill visits KHS … ldolce@seacoastonline.com  —  KENNEBUNK — Stump Merrill knows what it means to succeed in baseball.  As a young man, it meant shining on the field in Brunswick, Maine …

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.

Canseco Swaps Publishers for His Sequel to ‘Juiced’  —  A little more than two months before he expects to have his second book in stores, José Canseco is switching publishers for “Vindicated,” his promised sequel to the incendiary best seller “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits and How Baseball Got Big.”

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?

RHP Jeremy Guthrie agrees to 1-year contract with Orioles  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Jeremy Guthrie agreed to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday that will pay him $770,000 if he remains on the big league roster for the entire season.  —  Guthrie went 7-5 with a 3.70 ERA …

Citi Field Name in Danger; Yankee Stadium Etched in Stone  —  In a country with sports venues with names like Jobing.com Arena and Monster Park, and with telecommunication and financial company mergers causing venues to change names seemingly every year, New Yorkers lucked out when it was announced …