Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers  —  Braves GM Wren: ‘I think you have to be upset with the turn of events’  —  The Braves' winter of discontent continued Wednesday, when shortstop Rafael Furcal reached a contract agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers — two days after the Braves said they had an agreement with Furcal.

Sources: Orioles fall behind in Teixeira derby … Unless Mark Teixeira is willing to give the Orioles a major hometown discount, it does not appear he will be playing in Baltimore.  —  The Orioles have stood by their initial offer and have not upgraded it, and sources say that the other teams involved …

Baldelli: “An encouraging development”  —  Free agent OF Rocco Baldelli clarified the Rhode Island TV reports this morning, saying there has been an updated diagnosis that is “an encouraging development” and with adjustments to his current medication he hopes “to be on the field on a much more regular basis.”

Cameron-Cabrera talks off  —  It sounds as though the Yankees will not be getting Mike Cameron to play centerfield next year.  That could change, of course, but I just got off the phone with Brewers GM Doug Melvin.  He said: “Nothing new.  At this point, I don't anticipate it's something that we would (do). ...

Alleged Beating by Padre Caught on Tape  —  A videotape released Tuesday shows San Diego Padre Brian Giles allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend in an Arizona bar.  —  Giles isn't commenting on a civil lawsuit filed against the Padres star outfielder.  He is accused of verbally …

Sabathia visits new Yankee Stadium  —  The Yankees have passed along these photos of new pitcher CC Sabathia touring the new Yankee Stadium.

Pirates on lookout for bullpen help  —  Bootcheck, King among Pittsburgh's targets this offseason  —  PITTSBURGH — They won't be the highest profile of names, but there are a number of relievers that Pirates general manager Neal Huntington continues to pursue as he looks to add to his bullpen options for 2009.

Why Boston Might Be Best  —  I often hear media members and sports ‘experts’ this time of year discussing the ‘details’ on free agents.  Everything from ‘close friend says’ to ‘his choice is to live in’ and I wonder just how much you believe, and what you think they really know.

Jenks not sweating contract situation  —  Sox closer would prefer ‘fair’ long-term deal over arbitration  —  CHICAGO — Bobby Jenks intentionally leaves contract negotiations to his agent and the White Sox, bringing himself into the equation on a need-to-know basis.

Former Astro Smith dies of heart attack  —  Two-time All-Star reliever was on three Houston playoff teams  —  HOUSTON — Dave Smith, an Astros reliever from 1980-90 and a member of all three Houston playoff teams in the 1980s, died Wednesday of a heart attack.  He was 53.

Reliever Nelson has several suitors  —  Agent says he's fielded inquiries from 19 teams for setup man  —  MIAMI — On the open market, Joe Nelson is attracting plenty of attention.  —  Non-tendered by the Marlins last Friday, Nelson's agent, Doug Schaer, has fielded inquiries from 19 teams.

Pirates Q&A: Not playing the market  —  Click here to submit question.  —  We have Qs ...  Q: Is it smart for the Pirates to be avoiding free agents and targeting prospects?  —  In honor of ‘Moneyball’ and its premise that teams like the A's (and Pirates) need to take advantage of the market …

Orlando Cabrera A Long Shot For A's  —  By Tim Dierkes [December 17 at 9:03am CST]  —  According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's only have interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera if he can be had as a late bargain.  Despite the twists and turns …

Mets: Losses from Ponzi scam won't affect team … NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff Wilpon's phone rang last Thursday and his father was on the line.  —  “He said, ‘Bernie was arrested by the FBI.’ I'm like, ‘No way,”’ the New York Mets chief operating officer recalled Wednesday.

Sandberg to manage in Double-A  —  Hall of Famer promoted to Tennessee as Cubs shuffle Minors staffs  —  CHICAGO — Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is moving up in the Cubs' Minor League system.  —  Sandberg, who has spent the past two seasons as the skipper for the Class A Peoria Chiefs …