Source: Burnett, Yankees agree on deal … Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Burnett's agent …

Mets acquire RHP Connor Robertson from Arizona  —  The New York Mets tonight acquired righthanded relief pitcher Connor Robertson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Scott Schoeneweis and cash considerations.  —  Robertson, 27, was 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in nine games with Arizona this past season.

Royals designate Jason Smith to clear space for Horacio Ramirez  —  The Royals designated utility infielder Jason Smith for assignment Friday to clear space on their 40-man roster for left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramirez.  —  Smith, 31, spent the first four month of last season at Class AAA Omaha …

Will Madoff Scandal Hurt The New York Mets?  (Update)  —  The real estate investment firm Sterling Equities, co-founded by New York Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, had money invested with Bernard Madoff's firm, CNBC has confirmed.  —  “Among our various investments …

Task at hand: Acquiring a closer  —  LAS VEGAS — Within the past week, the Tigers traded for a starting catcher (Gerald Laird) and added a pitcher (Edwin Jackson) they believe will help settle their rotation.  —  They should announce the signing of shortstop Adam Everett any day.

Betemit, Wise agree to one-year deals  —  Infielder, outfielder avoid arbitration; Jenks next on Sox list  —  CHICAGO — Bobby Jenks now stands as the lone remaining arbitration-eligible player on the White Sox 40-man roster, after outfielder DeWayne Wise and infielder Wilson Betemit agreed to one-year deals on Friday.

Cubs sign Gaudin to one-year deal  —  The Cubs got busy Friday on the tender date for arbitration-eligible players, signing relievers Chad Gaudin ($2 million) and Neal Cotts ($1.1 million) to one-year contracts and tendering contracts to their four other arbitration-eligible players …

Ibanez, Phillies agree to 3-year, $30M deal  —  The Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, pending a physical.  The deal is believed to be worth $30 million over three years.  —  The 36-year-old Ibanez will become the Phillies' new every-day leftfielder …

Pirates complete signing of Vazquez  —  The Pirates this afternoon completed the signing of utility infielder Ramon Vazquez to a two-year contract worth a total of $4 million.  —  Vazquez, 32, is coming off a season with the Texas Rangers in which he batted a career-high .290 …

Shaughnessy At It Again  —  Every year as the Hall-of-Fame vote nears, the debates over certain players intensify.  As part of this tradition over the last few years, you can set your watch to a Dan Shaughnessy mail-in supporting the candidacy of Jim Rice.  Shaughnessy's case for Rice and …

Feds nab one of worst deadbeat dads  —  READ  —  One of Texas' worst deadbeat dads has been arrested after a long stay abroad, the San Antonio Express-News has confirmed.  —  Troy Lee Neel, a former professional baseball player accused of owing almost $725,000 in child support, was taken into custody in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Dodger do some TV repair work for '09: Steiner back on radio fulltime; gig opens for 40-game slate  —  Read into this however you may, but the Dodgers have decided that having a consistent radio broadcast team means Charley Steiner won't be doing any TV work during the 2009 season.