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.

Aaron Miles not a lock for Cubs second base job  —  Miles will compete for 2B job, spell Theriot at shortstop  —  When the Cubs traded Mark DeRosa to Cleveland the same day they signed free agent Aaron Miles, conventional wisdom suggested Miles would be DeRosa's replacement.

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.

Tigers ink Rodney, Thames for 2009  —  Detroit avoids arbitration on relief pitcher, slugging outfielder  —  DETROIT — Fernando Rodney may or may not be the Tigers' closer, and Marcus Thames is currently on the outside looking in on Detroit's outfield picture.

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

Podsednik getting another shot  —  Outfielder among nine non-roster invitees to Rockies Spring Training  —  DENVER — Outfielder Scott Podsednik, a key reserve for the Rockies last season, is one of nine players the club announced Wednesday as non-roster invitees for Spring Training.

Mets Add Cora, Who Gives the Infield Flexibility  —  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 Álex Cora …

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.

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 …

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.

Cubs hope for sale by Opening Day  —  Chairman wants to have owner, as well as deal finalized by MLB  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The chairman of the Chicago Cubs said on Wednesday that he not only hopes to have an owner designate for the franchise by Opening Day, but he hopes the transaction …

Pettitte perfect for Mets  —  he Yankees can find nearly a half-billion dollars to pay three players who, as brilliant as they've performed elsewhere, have yet to do a thing for this franchise.  And yet they can't scrape up a nickel more than $10 million for Andy Pettitte …

Bonds blockbuster: ‘The Clear’ was legal  —  Buzz up!  —  It could explain why Barry Bonds' attorneys believe the grand jury questions to him were impossibly vague and why the focus of the BALCO case veered from prosecuting distributors of illegal anabolic steroids and money launderers …

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.

Red Sox' Lars Anderson more than prospect  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  Just hearing the name Lars Anderson conjures a certain image, like someone pulling a trolley in the World's Strongest Man competition or skating up the wing for Denmark.

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.

Beltran gearing up for memorable year  —  MANATI, Puerto Rico - The crack of the bat echoes throughout the pristine indoor batting cage, Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran drilling line drives from the right side of the plate, even taking a few hacks one-handed.

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 …