Orioles close to landing Hill  —  Sources say O's hopeful to complete deal acquiring Cubs pitcher early this week  —  The Orioles could announce as early as tomorrow that they will acquire left-handed starter Rich Hill from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later, according to industry sources.

Cafardo's Latest: Players Out Of Options  —  By Nat Boyle [February 1 at 9:51am CST]  —  Lots of stuff in Nick Cafardo's column in the Boston Globe to go over.  —  With around 100 free agents vying for less than 20 remaining roster spots, things become more interesting with 227 players on big-league rosters who are out of options.

Still Jobless, Abreu Awaits Right Offer in a Slow Market  —  Ed Wade is the last man to sign Bobby Abreu to a contract.  It was nearly seven years ago, when Wade was the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and Abreu was an emerging star.  To keep him out of free agency …

Pierzynski's role not likely to change in '09  —  White Sox likely will have A.J. Pierzynski in No. 2 hole in order  —  Questions surround the leadoff spot, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen isn't concerned about who'll bat second.  —  That's because A.J. Pierzynski did so well in 2008 that he could hit there again.

One update and one non-update  —  Shot text messages back and forth with two pitchers today.  —  Alan Horne (right) said his right shoulder is “doin great” and that his rehab is progressing nicely.  He's up to 50 throws from 120 feet and said he expects to be throwing off a mound soon.

Sources: Rays agree to deal with LHP Shouse  —  Brian Shouse, a veteran left-handed reliever, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to baseball sources.  The deal is pending a physical exam, which he will take on Thursday.  —  Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games …

The Market For Adam Dunn  —  By Tim Dierkes [February 1 at 7:00am CST]  —  Amazingly it's February 1st and the one 40 home run bat on the free agent market, Adam Dunn, remains unsigned.  We learned from Bobby Abreu's agent that his client is willing to consider a one-year deal …

St. Louis Cardinals keep prospects on the move  —  When the Cardinals promoted first-round pick Brett Wallace to Class AA Springfield, they planned for his stay to be brief.  He'd make a few spot starts, take a few swings, get a taste for the league and then ship back to the preferred level.

Nationals Wins Above Replacement Updated  —  I've made some updates to my Nationals Wins Above Replacement calculations.  First, I've updated the playing time and innings pitched to reflect the latest developments, including the acquisitions of bullpen arms like Wil Ledezma, Terrell Young, and Jesus Colome.

Approaching spring workouts to find Tampa Bay Rays in transition  —  The Rays have their first official spring workout two weeks from today, and relocation to Port Charlotte isn't the only thing that's going to require some adjustment.  —  CF B.J. Upton, 1B Carlos Pena …

Prospect Green has wrist surgery  —  Third baseman forced to wear a cast for four weeks  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers prospect Taylor Green could miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery this week for a fractured left wrist.  —  Green, 22 and a third baseman …

Pedro says he's received offers  —  Righty declines to identify bidders, but claims Mets not among them  —  The availability of Pedro Martinez as a free agent has prompted interest among big league clubs, according to the veteran right-hander.  With less than three weeks remaining …

Torre on book: 'It wasn't my intention to shock anybody'  —  (CNN) — Los Angeles Dodgers baseball manager Joe Torre's new book about his old club has been burning up best-seller lists even before it hits stores.  —  In “The Yankee Years,” Torre candidly details his life as the former skipper …