Milton Bradley Signs With Cubs  —  By Tim Dierkes [January 5 at 3:10pm CST]  —  According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract “with some options in the deal.”  Ken Rosenthal has a similar story, noting that the two sides have to “work through language issues.”

Longtime Twins owner Carl Pohlad, 93, dies  —  Carl Pohlad, a working-poor son of the Great Depression who became one of America's wealthiest dealmakers, has died.  He was 93.  —  A financier who came to be best known through his 1984 acquisition of the Minnesota Twins …

Source: A's closing in on Giambi  —  Free-agent first baseman could sign one-year deal this week  —  OAKLAND — The Rays agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Pat Burrell on Monday, dramatically increasing the likelihood of free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi returning to the A's.

Ex-ace Carpenter could close … ST. LOUIS (AP) — Still looking for a closer, the St. Louis Cardinals might consider turning to oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter next season.  —  Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told The Associated Press on Monday that he'd think about using …

Teixeira introduction set for Tuesday  —  News conference scheduled at Yankee Stadium for slugger  —  NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium is set to host what may be its final gala on Tuesday, as the Yankees prepare to introduce another winter prize in first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Marquis deal may be finalized Tuesday  —  Cubs would send right-hander to Rockies for reliever Vizcaino  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs are expected Tuesday to finalize the deal with Colorado and send pitcher Jason Marquis to the Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

Follow Up: Spring Training '08 Cliches (1 of 2)  —  Last season, Tim chronicled various reports out of Spring Training about players claiming to have lost weight, get eye surgery, flirt with Yoga, Ballet, etc. (a personal fav. feature of mine—if for nothing else than the entertainment value, alone).

Oswalt may be No. 1 starter for USA  —  Astros' ace to pitch for his country in World Baseball Classic  —  HOUSTON — Several Major League organizations will be represented by the U.S.A. team in the World Baseball Classic, including the Astros, who have one marquee player ready to pitch.

Angels lock in Mike Scioscia through at least 2014  —  The manager agrees in principle to contract extension.  Terms are not disclosed, but deal ensures the longest-tenured manager in the American League will continue with team ‘for a long, long time.’  —  The Angels, ensuring the term …

Sox get Green  —  The Red Sox have agreed to terms with infielder Nick Green on a minor league deal and will invite him to major league camp in spring training to compete for the utility infielder job.  —  Green, 30, is righthanded hitter (.240 career), has been with four teams including Atlanta …

A. Jones agrees to defer salary to escape L.A. … LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to parting ways.  —  The team has agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the center fielder deferring much of the $22 million remaining on his contract …

Royals re-sign Colon, issue camp invite  —  Right-hander pitched as starter and a reliever at Omaha in '08  —  KANSAS CITY — Right-hander Roman Colon has been re-signed by the Royals to a Minor League contract and invited to next month's Major League camp, the club announced Monday.