These are the best values to be found in the free-agent bargain bin … The biggest free-agent stars have already signed for big bucks.  And while several name players remain — Adrian Beltre, Rafael Soriano, Vladimir Guerrero, Carl Pavano, Derrek Lee and Adam LaRoche to name a half dozen notables …

Mets acquire Chin-lung Hu  —  The Mets have acquired SS Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers for LHP Michael Antonini.  —  I know what you're thinking it, because I'm thinking it too: Hu?  I mean, who?  —  The 26-year-old Hu hit .317 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 206 at bats in Triple last season.

Nolan Ryan: MLB is overpaying some free agents that shouldn't be getting paid what they are  —  Here are some highlights:  —  Cliff Lee was offered a massive amount of money by all three teams that wanted him.  When you were offering up those numbers, did you ever wish that you had been pitching in this era instead?

Brewers, Capuano part ways  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  General manager Doug Melvin told me today that both sides agreed to break off negotiations with left-hander Chris Capuano after the Brewers added Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke to the starting rotation in recent weeks.

FIU baseball star Garrett Wittels charged in rape of two girls in Bahamas  —  FIU ballplayer Garrett Wittels, who is on the verge of breaking the record for the longest NCAA hitting streak, and four friends were arrested in the Bahamas.  His father is confident he will be cleared.  —  JBURNETT@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Brewers bolster bullpen, add Saito  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since August 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  The Brewers, continuing their off-season restructuring, reached agreement Monday …

DEFENSE IN BULK  —  With more Gold Glove awards than any franchise in baseball, defense has been a hallmark for the Cardinals, and manager Tony La Russa conceded late last season that the 2010 team lacked that expected crispness.  It allowed 64 unearned runs, the most of any team in the National League with a winning record.

Cuba's plan to shop talent may not help MLB  —  Pedro Luis Lazo retired from baseball the day after Christmas.  A horse-drawn carriage took him into the stadium in Pinar Del Rio where he and Jose Contreras  —  once formed the most fearsome pitching duo in the history of the Cuban league, Serie Nacional.

Hall of Fame Week  —  You know how crazy I am when it comes to writing about the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Well, this is Hall of Fame week — the ballots are due by Dec. 31.  And I have been writing ... and writing ... and writing.  I really need to see a doctor or something.

Papelbon's 2011 no laughing matter  —  A few weeks ago, after the news leaked that the Red Sox [team stats] had made a three-year contract offer to New York Yankees great Mariano Rivera, manager Terry Francona was asked if he felt a need to call closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats] to make sure there weren't any hard feelings.

Many heroes stepped up in Giants' title run  —  SAN FRANCISCO — This was the year that the Giants, make that the San Francisco Giants, had awaited forever.  —  They collected their previous five World Series triumphs while playing in New York, which they deserted for San Francisco before the 1958 season.