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.

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.

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 …

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

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Zaun deal almost completed  —  All that's left is dotting the I's and crossing the T's, as they say, before catcher Gregg Zaun takes his physical and becomes an Oriole.  I'm told it's “pretty much done,” and we should have an official announcement on a one-year contract early next week.

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 …

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 …