Source: Cubs to acquire Heilman  —  The Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Aaron Heilman from the Seattle Mariners for infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitcher Garrett Olson, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  Heilman and Olson have already been involved in trades this offseason.

Torre on Jeter, A-Rod, Beltrán, Pavano, Brown and More  —  I am not a speed reader, like my colleague Jack Curry, so there is no way I can quickly finish my copy of “The Yankee Years.”  But just from scanning it for a couple of hours, it is filled with extraordinary tidbits and rich detail.

D'Backs Agree To Terms With Jon Garland  —  By Tim Dierkes [January 28 at 2:52pm CST]  —  2:52pm: More details from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick: Garland gets $6.25MM in '09 and the 2010 option for $10MM has a $2.5MM buyout if the D'Backs reject it.  If Garland rejects it it's a $1MM buyout.

Jon Heyman: The latest on the best remaining free agents … The stunning thing about this free-agent market isn't that there are still about 100 players without jobs, it's that at least a dozen of the unemployed are excellent players in their prime.  —  It isn't just patient …

Minaya may be looking at Pedro  —  Report states that GM expressed interest to pitcher's agent  —  A report out of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday says Mets general manager Omar Minaya has expressed interest in re-signing Pedro Martinez.  The report by The Associated Press cites no source …

The latest on the best remaining free agents (cont.)  —  9. Joe Crede.  He's said to have a clean bill of health, though past back trouble obviously is worrisome to some.  The Giants, Twins and Rangers have shown interest.  —  10. Randy Wolf.  Depending on reports, Wolf rejected either $22 million …

Benoit may be lost for season  —  Rangers righty has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers, still over two weeks away from Spring Training, have suffered another major setback in their pitching staff.  —  Right-hander Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery on Tuesday …

2 Pitchers Warm Up on Stage, Not Mound  —  FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Joba Chamberlain pitches with his right hand and writes with his left.  Jon Lester does the opposite.  Chamberlain is the Yankees' prized young arm, and Lester fills that role for the Boston Red Sox.

Glavine, Wren discuss 2009 season  —  Braves' need for an outfielder a factor in ability to ink lefty  —  ATLANTA — Tom Glavine understands the Braves might not have the funds to satisfy his financial desire.  But the veteran left-hander still remains hopeful he'll have the opportunity to pitch at least one more season in Atlanta.

David Weathers signs with Reds  —  The Reds avoided arbitration with David Weathers by signing the bulldog reliever to a one-year contract with an option worth $3.9 million, the Post has learned.  —  Weathers will make $3.5 million this year with a club option for 2010 worth $3.7 million or a $400,000 buyout.

Bowa: Dodgers need Manny  —  At least one person is ready to admit his team needs Manny Ramirez.  Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa is adamant that his team should bring back Ramirez, who is a free agent.  —  “I'm going to tell you something right now, if Manny Ramirez doesn't sign with us, we're in deep trouble.

Brewers, Sheets no closer to reunion  —  GM Melvin reached out after Red Sox signed Penny, Smoltz  —  MILWAUKEE — At every winter stop, a Brewers fan would ask general manager Doug Melvin the same question, and it was usually the first one asked.  —  Is there any chance the Brewers will look at re-signing Ben Sheets?

Orioles in talks with Looper  —  Free-agent pitcher Braden Looper would fill rotation hole for Orioles  —  Still seeking an innings-eater for the middle of their rotation, the Orioles continue to have talks with the representative of free-agent pitcher Braden Looper, according to industry sources.