Jenks admits frustration over terms of departure  —  White Sox didn't imply disrespect while moving in new direction  —  CHICAGO — When the White Sox need to protect a ninth-inning lead during the 2011 season, the sounds of POD's “Boom” will not be heard at U.S. Cellular Field.

Inside MLB End of Year Payrolls - AL West (1999-10)  —  Yesterday, we published our look at the end of year player payrolls for each of the clubs in the AL East from 1999-10.  Today, we're looking at the AL West over the same 12-year period.  —  While the AL East was a study …

Himelfarb Hears a Hu … Amid widespread protests from fans decrying the organization's inaction, the Mets acquired infielder Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers for southpaw Mike Antonini.  —  Hu, 27, hit .317/.332/.438 in 223 plate-appearances last year in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League last season.

Yanks interested in Blanton, Garcia  —  This might just be the week that Andy Pettitte reaches a decision about whether to pitch for the Yankees in 2011 or retire from baseball.  —  Precisely when the Yanks would be notified of that decision is another story.

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?

Jack Morris falls short of Hall of Fame  —  Although he might have defined an MLB decade, Morris just isn't worthy of Cooperstown  —  The Hall of Fame is set to announce this year's inductees, an annual event that's as much a part of winter as free-agent signings, blizzards …

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.

2010: A magical year in Rangers history  —  ARLINGTON — The Washington Senators lost 96 games in 1968 before Ted Williams took over as manager and led them to a dramatic 20-game improvement the following season.  —  The Senators still finished fourth, but Williams was Manager of the Year …

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.

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 …

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