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: 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 …

Ex-Cub Phil Cavarretta dies at 94  —  CHICAGO — Phil Cavarretta, the 1945 National League MVP who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series appearance, has died.  He was 94.  —  Cavarretta died Saturday evening in Lilburn, Ga., of complications from a stroke, according to his grandson, Jeffrey Brown, of Lubbock, Texas.

Greinke changes agents, still wants to be traded  —  The Zack Greinke saga continues, with small details changing this week, but the outline remains the same.  —  Greinke changed agents from SFX Baseball to Casey Close of CAA, who also counts the Yankees' Derek Jeter among his clients.

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.”

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.

Walt Dropo Dies; 1950 AL Rookie Of Year With Red Sox, 3-Sport UConn Star  —  1950 AL Rookie Of Year With Red Sox, 3-Sport UConn Star  —  Walt Dropo could have played football for the Chicago Bears.  He could have played professional basketball as the NBA was getting started.

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.

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.

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 …