Dave Sisler; Red Sox pitcher was team's top rookie in '56  —  ST. LOUIS — Dave Sisler, the Red Sox Rookie of the Year in 1956, died yesterday at 79.  —  His son, David G., said Mr. Sisler died of complications from prostate cancer.  —  David M. Sisler was the last surviving child of Baseball Hall of Famer George Sisler.

Pearlman Discusses HOF Vote, Bagwell, Piazza on Radio  —  Last night, Jeff Pearlman of Sports Illustrated joined me to discuss his controversial comments regarding steroids and Jeff Bagwell.  —  One of the points that Jeff made, and I agree with, is how MLB hasn't provided direction …

Bartlett agrees to two-year deal with Padres  —  San Diego avoids arbitration with recently acquired shortstop  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres found a way to shorten their list of arbitration-eligible players on Monday when they reached an agreement on a two-year contract with new shortstop Jason Bartlett.

Inbox: Any big moves left for Rangers?  —  Are the Rangers done making moves?  It would seem they could use one more offensive/position-type of player to fill out the lineup and bench.  —  Jim Thome is an interesting name.  He's the kind of high-impact, high-pedigree player the Rangers …

Carl Crawford driven to Sox  —  HOUSTON — When he learned the parameters of the contract offer from the Red Sox [team stats], Carl Crawford nearly crashed his Range Rover.  —  It was the night of Dec. 8, and Crawford was driving along one of Houston's many freeways when he took a call …

Simon's agent: Witnesses will testify that the Orioles pitcher did not fire fatal shot  —  The agent for Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon said there are several witnesses in the Dominican Republic who are willing to come forward and testify that the pitcher could not have fired the fatal bullet …

Astros Acquire Sergio Escalona  —  The Astros acquired left-hander Sergio Escalona from the Phillies for minor league second baseman Albert Cartwright, according to the teams.  The Phillies designated Escalona for assignment over the weekend to make room for J.C. Romero.

The Greatest Athlete: “Is Derek Jeter Such a Bad Defender That He's a Bad Player?”  —  Ruth seems like a sure victor, but for his weight.  Ewing suffers, unfairly?  And one participant mourns the absence of an eighties fan favorite.  —  Yogi Berra, 1955. … Al Leiter: Lawrence Taylor was this guy who transcended his sport.

Red Sox Sign Okajima To One-Year Deal  —  The Red Sox signed left-hander Hideki Okajima to a one-year deal worth $1.75MM, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.  The deal includes $550K in incentives and allows Okajima to become a free agent at the end of the 2011 season, Crasnick reports.

Bartolo Colon struggling this winter  —  Former major league pitchers Raul Valdes and Bartolo Colon are going opposite ways in the round robin semifinal in the Dominican Republic winter league.  While Cuban born Valdes is doing very well, Colon has not had good outings so far.

The Trade That Didn't Happen  —  This past weekend may have comprised the rare and unusual off-season Rangers trade (one which saw recently DFA'd Guillermo Moscoso shipped to Oakland in exchange for minor league power reliever Ryan Kelly, who may not ever contribute to the Rangers' bullpen …

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)  —  When the Brewers reached the playoffs in 2008—their lone postseason appearance in the last 28 years—they had their farm system to thank.  It produced a largely homegrown lineup led by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder …

Green's granddaughter killed in Arizona shooting  —  The young girl killed in Saturday's mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz. was the nine-year-old granddaughter of Phillies legend Dallas Green.  —  Christina-Taylor Green, born on Sept. 11, 2001, was shot and killed during a trip to a Tucson Safeway …