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.

Abreu, others, might soon swallow pride  —  As recently as a week ago, the asking price on Bobby Abreu was said to be locked in place, a three-year deal for something in the neighborhood of $16 million a year.  But those numbers were based on appraisals made before the motor companies got a bailout …

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.

Mets still interested in bringing Pedro back in '09 … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya says the club is interested in signing pitcher Pedro Martinez to a new contract.  —  The Mets' four-year, $53 million deal with Martinez expired after last season.

Dodgers have even clearer path to sign Wolf  —  The pitching dominos might be starting to fall.  So is Randy Wolf next?  Our Ken Rosenthal went straight to the source for answers.

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.

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?

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 …

Baseball's Hall of Fame has taken too many hits  —  (01-28) 18:59 PST — Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are going into the Baseball Hall of Fame!  —  In the words of Matt Foley, Chris Farley's motivational-speaker character, “Well, whooptie-frikkin'-doo.”  —  Not that Henderson and Rice …

A Curt Look at a Hall of Fame Career  —  “I'd like to think I did well.  I'd like to think that, if I had a must-win game, the guys I played with would want me to have the ball.  But no, I don't think I deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.”  - Curt Schilling, January 29 on WEEI AM 850's “The Big Show”

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.

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.