Pirates sign LaRoche to one-year deal  —  The Pirates this morning signed first baseman Adam LaRoche on a one-year contract worth $7.05 million, thus avoiding salary arbitration.  He can make an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.

Lefty Wolf turns down D-Backs  —  It looks like free agent left-hander Randy Wolf won't be the answer to the Diamondbacks' search for another starting pitcher.  —  Just as right-hander Jon Garland did last week, Wolf in recent days turned down an offer from the Diamondbacks.

Minor League Transactions  —  This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Jan. 13 to 16.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Removed from 40-man roster: LHP Francisley Bueno  —  A native of Cuba who signed with Atlanta in 2006 …

Baseball doesn't need a salary cap to stop Yankees  —  (01-19) 21:48 PST — Hidden beneath the Hot Stove League, an integral part of baseball's charm, is the Hot Air Society.  You've heard from them lately, lamenting the Yankees' absurd financial outlay and calling for a salary cap.

That was a strike? … In theory it is a simple rule.  In practice it is much much harder than that.  There are more arguments with umpires over the strike zone than any other call by a huge margin.  The sheer volume of calls the umpire has to make behind the plate means that more than likely …

Cantu and Hermida sign; four arbitration-eligible Marlins remain  —  The Marlins have pared down a lengthy list of arbitration eligible players, but it appears they're headed for hearings with some if not all of the remaining four.  —  Jorge Cantu and Jeremy Hermida were the lone Marlins who came to terms Monday on one-year deals.

Tigers invite Rincon to camp  —  The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with veteran reliever Juan Rincon, inking the right-hander to a minor league contract.  Rincon will be in major league camp with the Tigers this spring as a non-roster invitee.  —  Rincon split last season between …

In Book, Radomski Talks About Selling Drugs and Dealing With Mitchell  —  Kirk Radomski traveled to Washington last week to testify before a federal grand jury investigating whether Roger Clemens committed perjury when he told Congress that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs.

Top 50 Mets Of All Time: #32 Rick Reed  —  Rick Reed was a struggling journeyman with exactly one solid season on his resume when an opportunity for increased playing time presented itself in the form of the protracted labor dispute that canceled the 1994 World Series and threatened the 1995 season as well.

Padres' projected payroll for 2009 remains $5 million over desired target  —  To meet the $40 million payroll mandated by club chairman John Moores, the Padres apparently need to trade a high-salaried player either before or during the season.  Whether Jake Peavy is that player still could hinge …

Priest who blessed dugout says Cubs chairman threw him ‘under the bus’  —  Rev. James L. Greanias, the Greek Orthodox priest brought in to Wrigley Field to remove a curse before Game 1 of last year's playoffs, has accused Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney of throwing him “under the bus” at last weekend's Cubs Convention.

Another Boston D-Bag: Red Sox Buy “Fan” Loyalty  —  You think you hate the Red Sox?  You don't know about hate.  Read this post and you'll know hate.  —  That's Tim.  He was a “life-long fan” of the Padres, but became increasingly disillusioned with the team's direction.  So he put his loyalty on the market.

The Market For Adam Dunn  —  Right now, Adam Dunn wants a four-year, $56 million contract.  And who knows, maybe he gets it.  Maybe he also gets a Lamborghini, a new house, and exclusive use of the Burj Al Arab helicopter pad.  Maybe he can hire Pat Burrell to babysit his kid.

O's lock up Markakis  —  Sources: Club finalizes six-year, $66 million extension with right fielder  —  The Orioles have finalized a six-year, $66 million contract extension with outfielder Nick Markakis, according to baseball sources.  Markakis will be in Baltimore later this week to take a routine physical and to sign the contract.

De La Rosa avoids arb with $2 million deal  —  The Rockies have only had three arbitration hearings in franchise history, and they took two steps toward avoiding that process again Monday.  Just hours after wrapping up a deal with Huston Street, Colorado avoided arbitration …