Red Sox Sign Dan Wheeler  —  The Red Sox have signed reliever Dan Wheeler to a one-year contract worth $3MM guaranteed.  The deal includes a $3MM option (no buyout) for 2012 that can vest with 65 appearances.  Another $250K can be earned with 75 appearances.  Wheeler has passed his physical.

Sources: Greinke asks Royals for trade  —  Zack Greinke wants to be traded, and the Kansas City Royals intend to grant his wish.  —  Greinke fired his agent on Friday, the clearest indication yet of the ace right-hander's desire to be sent to another club.

Sources: Marlins, Nolasco reach impasse in contract talks  —  The Florida Marlins and right-hander Ricky Nolasco have arrived at a stalemate in negotiations for a long-term contract, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.  —  The impasse sets up a number of possibilities for Nolasco …

Angels' owner Arte Moreno has his limits  —  Moreno says he's willing to spend, but $142 million for Carl Crawford was too much if the team wants to keep prices reasonable.  —  Angels owner Arte Moreno, right, waves while talking to outfielder Torii Hunter during a spring training session in February.

Rays - still - not looking to deal a starter  —  With Cliff Lee making the unexpected decision to return to Philadelphia, Carl Pavano the next best option on the free agent market and Zack Grienke reportedly accelerating a trade from Kansas City, the Rays are going to get even more calls on their starting pitchers.

Pieces of his mind  —  Picked up pieces while listening to Mitch Miller Christmas carols . . .  When the Patriots were auditioning kickers they called retired Revolution star Taylor Twellman.  Now with Comcast SportsNet, Twellman turned down the opportunity, telling the team, “I can't take another hit to the head.”

Blue Jay lineup an ongoing experiment  —  Alex Anthopoulos, the Blue Jays' 34-year-old GM, is no longer a rookie.  After being forced to hit the ground running with the Roy Halladay trade last December, maybe he never was.  As such, Anthopoulos will be the first to admit his club …

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers declared out; Flynn will start  —  By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel  —  Providence, R.I. - Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out of Sunday's game and backup Matt Flynn will start against the New England Patriots Sunday, a club spokesman said when reached by telephone this morning.

Mo will try to convince Pettitte to return  —  Mariano Rivera has plans to call an old friend.  —  “I might try to reach him soon,” Rivera said Thursday of Andy Pettitte, who continues to deliberate about pitching in 2011.  —  “I want to hear what he's doing, what he wants to do,” Rivera said.

Omar Minaya, Sandy Alderson to talk  —  NEW YORK — Former New York Mets GM Omar Minaya said he plans to sit down with current Mets GM Sandy Alderson after the New Year to discuss a potential new role in the organization.  —  Minaya told ESPNNewYork.com that he has multiple offers on the table.

Francis' decision expected soon  —  I figured it would be today.  If not today, then early next week.  By then, Jeff Francis figures to be a Rockie or a former Rockie.  —  Francis has responded to a few texts this offseason, but hasn't commented on his contractual situation.

2B Antonelli blogs that he's joining Nationals  —  You've got to love the Internet revolution.  How else would we know when players decide on a new team?  —  Second baseman Matt Antonelli chose his personal blog to deliver the news this afternoon that he's decided to accept a contract offer from the Nationals.

Near deal with Hudson, Padres add Bartlett  —  San Diego completes deal with Tampa Bay for shortstop  —  SAN DIEGO — In one fell swoop on Friday, the Padres may have addressed two of their biggest needs of the offseason — finding a starting shortstop and second baseman.