Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper to get extensions  —  (12-23) 21:42 PST — The Giants are close to bringing back two of their most prized free agents: television broadcasters Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow.  —  The club has reached tentative agreements on six-year extensions for the well-regarded duo.

Rockies acquire Lindstrom from Astros  —  DENVER — The Rockies filled a key spot in their bullpen by acquiring right-hander Matt Lindstrom from the Astros on Thursday for two Minor League pitchers — left-hander Wes Musick, a former University of Houston standout, and right-hander Jonnathan Aristil.

New York Mets may use D. J. Carrasco in back end of starting rotation to start 2011 season  —  In an offseason dedicated to finding creative solutions to their dearth of pitching, the Mets might already have signed free-agent rotation help: D.J. Carrasco, who the Mets have not ruled out as a back-end starter …

Saves king Hoffman at crossroads as '11 looms  —  Closer enjoys offseason, weighs his options for next season  —  MILWAUKEE — Trevor Hoffman is 43 years old, but still open to the idea pitching in 2011.  Physically, he knows he could do it.  Emotionally, he's not so sure …

Don't exclude steroid users from Hall  —  Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer.  He is in his 35th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and appears on pre- and postgame shows for Colorado Rockies games on FSN Rocky Mountain.

AP Sources: Padres Agree to 1-Year Deal With Hawpe  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with Brad Hawpe to play first base, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.  —  The people spoke on condition of anonymity …

Dinner set to toast Cardinals, roast La Russa  —  TOWER GROVE — The St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America is giving its annual dinner a spirited twist this season.  —  No, not just Albert Pujols sharing the Man of the Year Award or shifting the dinner to a different day.

For Ortiz, Christmas is all about the kids  —  Big Papi takes delight in bringing smiles to children's faces  —  FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — On a Saturday morning in mid-December, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz walked into his restaurant — Big Papi's Grille — and had a quick and good-natured greeting for his co-host at a holiday event.

Rangers Reach Agreement With Arthur Rhodes  —  The Rangers have agreed to terms with left-hander Arthur Rhodes.  Steve Phillips of AOL Fanhouse (Twitter link) reports the deal is for one year with a vesting option for 2012, and the contract will be finalized once Rhodes passes a physical.

Doc thrilled to have Christmas song about him  —  PHILADELPHIA — Turn on his radio and Phillies ace Roy Halladay can hear thousands of Christmas songs.  —  There are the favorites from crooners like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole, remakes of standards like “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night” …

Now is not the time for Rays to deal Garza  —  No sooner was the ink dry on Cliff Lee's new contract with the Phillies than the drumbeat began: with the Yankees and Rangers still seeking pitching, surely one of them would find a way to land the Rays' Matt Garza.

Bronx?  Cooperstown?  Pettitte Is a Man of Many Questions  —  If Andy Pettitte has indeed thrown his last pitch, he will retire with more victories than Whitey Ford, a better winning percentage than Bob Feller, Juan Marichal and Tom Seaver, and the most postseason wins in baseball history.