Nats among suitors for Pavano before new year  —  Club in mix for free agent, who's likely to decide after Christmas  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals remain in the mix to sign right-hander Carl Pavano, according to a baseball source.  Pavano will most likely make a decision on his destination after the Christmas holiday.

Christmas lesson for Rangers' Josh Hamilton and family to begin at homeless shelter  —  ‘The true spirit of what Christmas is giving’  —  The American League MVP, his wife and three daughters woke Christmas morning to a new tradition.  —  Mom and Dad were to give their girls only one gift each.

New York Yankees will be just fine without Cliff Lee, Alex Rodriguez says  —  Yankees fans weren't the only ones upset to learn that Cliff Lee had opted for the Phillies over the Bombers this month.  Alex Rodriguez was looking forward to seeing the lefty ace suiting up in pinstripes.

The Year in PITCHf/x Calibration  —  This week, I handed in potentially the final paper of my academic career.  It was titled, “The History of PITCHf/x.”  That is to say that I greatly enjoy thinking about, reading about, and writing about PITCHf/x data.  So I don't mean to cast PITCHf/x …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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” …

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.