Yankees Invite 20 Players to 2009 Spring Training  —  The New York Yankees announced today that they have invited 20 non-roster players to 2009 Spring Training in Tampa, Fla. The list includes four pitchers, five catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders.  The total number of players now scheduled to report is 60.

Mets and Cora Agree on One-Year Deal  —  The Mets were unable to sign Derek Lowe.  They are still hoping to re-sign Oliver Pérez.  In the meantime, they have reached a deal with another player represented by Scott Boras, agreeing in principle with the utility player Alex Cora to a one-year …

Minor League Transactions  —  This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Dec. 24, 2008, and Jan. 12, 2009.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: 2B Guillermo Reyes  —  Baltimore Orioles

BBWAA must speed up its voting requirements  —  Today on XM Radio, Hal Bodley had some interesting (and surprising) things to say about the BBWAA: … Just a few minutes ago I mailed, for the first time ever, my BBWAA dues.  So I feel a bit more qualified than before to discuss this subject ...

Live Fan Feed  —  You really are a delightful young lady!  — recca made a Throwdown comment on If any single player deserved to have an unanimous HOF vote, it is the Georgia Peach. on 01/14/09 at 20:27:50 PM ET  —  Actually if you look at the voting procedure for baseball writers …

Smoltz: Braves 'always assumed he wouldn't leave'  —  ATLANTA — John Smoltz returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to make it clear he'll always cherish the city that has been his home since 1988.  —  “Twenty-two years is a long time and I don't think you ever take it for granted and I never will,” he said.

Gross gets $1.255-million from Tampa Bay Rays  —  The Rays avoided arbitration with OF Gabe Gross by settling on a one-year, $1.255-million deal.  —  Gross, 29, hit .242 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 127 games for the Rays last season after being acquired in April from Milwaukee …

Baseball owners: Time to reconsider salary cap  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — Some baseball owners say it may be time to reconsider a salary cap after the New York Yankees spent nearly a half-billion dollars on free agents during a recession that may cause some teams to retrench.

Angels agree to terms on 2009 contract with Chone Figgins  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels on Wednesday agreed to terms on a 2009 contract with infielder Chone Figgins, thus avoiding arbitration.  This announcement was made by general manager Tony Reagins.  Per club policy, no terms of the contract will be released.

Tigers avoid arbitration with Rodney  —  Fernando Rodney spent part of this winter playing with former Rockie Ray King in the Dominican Republic.  He's preparing for the possibility that he could be the Detroit Tigers' closer.  Detroit is still examining its free agent options …

Stark among Mariners' spring invitees  —  Seattle bringing 17 non-roster players to camp next month  —  SEATTLE — It has been almost five years since right-hander Denny Stark pitched in a Major League game and nearly 13 years since he was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round in the First-Year Player Draft.

'I'm open to winning'  —  It was a whirlwind hour today at Harry Caray's downtown, where the Cubs kicked off their caravan.  Lou wasn't there because he's nursing an illness, but GM Jim Hendry was there, as were Lou's coaches.  —  Of the players who made it, one of the most sought …

Astros likely out of free-agent market  —  Economic downturn, swollen payroll influencing GM's hesitance  —  HOUSTON — The free-agent market is flush with dozens of quality free agents, but don't expect the Astros to jump in on any bargain-bidding wars in the days leading up to Spring Training.