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.

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.

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 …

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.

Padres Acquire Jason Bartlett  —  The Padres have acquired Jason Bartlett from the Rays, tweets Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio.  San Diego will also receive a player to be named later from Tampa Bay in exchange for Brandon Gomes, Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, and Cole Figueroa.

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.

THE DECISION...  Hey guys!  The weeks seem to be flying by the last few months.  I really can't believe Christmas is only a week away.  I still haven't gone shopping yet, but that isn't anything new.  When it comes to holiday shopping I rank towards the top of the list of procrastinators.

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.”

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.

BP Unfiltered  —  What does Pettitte throw?  —  I recently wrote an article for ESPN Insider about Andy Pettitte's potential role in firming up the Yankee rotation in their competition for the American League East title in 2011.  The Baseball Prospectus version of the article is here.

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.

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 …

Two best remaining targets on the market … This offseason has been, for the most part, a mystery.  The Carl Crawford signing with the Red Sox was slightly surprising in that most folks had him pegged for the Angels, the Jayson Werth deal with the Nationals was very surprising in that nobody …