Nationals agree to terms with Adam LaRoche  —  The Nationals found their replacement for first baseman Adam Dunn tonight, finalizing a two-year deal with an option for a third year with Adam LaRoche.  LaRoche, the best remaining free agent remaining at the position, is a defensive upgrade over Dunn …

Free-agent 3B Adrian Beltre and Rangers agree to multi-year deal  —  Adrian Beltre could be introduced as early as this afternoon as the Rangers' everyday third baseman after he agreed to a multiyear deal with the AL champions late Tuesday, sources said.  —  The free agent arrived …

Braves Agree To Deal With Dan Uggla  —  The Braves and Dan Uggla have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $62MM, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the salary in the first year of the deal is believed to be low, under $10MM.

Hall of Fame needs to deal with steroids era  —  Powers in Cooperstown need to fix the process instead of making votes so hard to cast  —  There's a Cooperstown crisis coming.  Nobody seems to want to acknowledge it.  Nobody seems to want to deal with it.  But it's coming, all right, whether the Hall of Fame is ready or not.

Cubs take lead in Garza derby  —  The Cubs appear to have moved past the Texas Rangers and into the driver's seat in efforts to acquire Tampa Bay Rays 15-game winner Matt Garza — a potential move that could put the Cubs back into the ­National League Central title conversation for 2011.

Yankees showing interest in free agent Bonderman  —  The New York Yankees have shown interest in free-agent starter Jeremy Bonderman, a major-league source told FOXSports.com.  —  Bonderman went 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) for the Detroit Tigers last year.

Run-producing Raines deserves Hall nod  —  Tim Raines had Hall of Fame talent.  He had a Hall of Fame peak.  He had Hall of Fame longevity.  Yet somehow, he remains far from Hall of Fame enshrinement.  —  The man known as “Rock” may or may not be the best eligible player who's not in Cooperstown …

2011 will be all about Jeter  —  Derek Jeter isn't about personal accomplishments, but the most celebrated Yankee since Mickey Mantle will be the early focus of the 2011 season as he approaches 3,000 career hits.  —  Jeter is just 74 shy of the magical number that will create an even greater resume for his Hall of Fame candidacy.

ESPN: Hall passes for Alomar, Blyleven  —  ESPN.com asked 18 of ESPN's Hall of Fame voters to submit their ballots for the Class of 2011, which will be announced Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.  —  To be elected, players must receive at least 75 percent of the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote.

O's agree to terms with Gregg on two-year, $10 million deal with club option for 2013  —  The Orioles added another important piece to the back of their bullpen today, agreeing to terms with veteran right-hander Kevin Gregg on a two-year, $10 million deal, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Veteran catcher Bard re-signs with Mariners  —  SEATTLE — Catcher Josh Bard, who played 39 games last year for the Mariners, has signed a Minor League deal with Seattle and will receive an invitation to Spring Training and a chance to compete for a backup spot, the veteran told MLB.com on Tuesday.

Bill Buckner to manage Brockton Rox  —  BOSTON — Bill Buckner is coming back here, and in uniform, too.  —  The former Red Sox first baseman has been hired to manage the Brockton (Mass.) Rox, a team in the independent Can-Am League, Rox co-owner Van Schley confirmed Tuesday.

Atty. claims O's pitcher didn't fire fatal shot  —  Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CNN) — A “preliminary forensics report” absolves Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon in the New Year's killing of a man in the northern coastal town of Luperon, his lawyer said Tuesday, but police expressed skepticism.