Sources: Cubs trade Tom Gorzelanny  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have traded left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals for three minor league prospects — two pitchers and an outfielder, according to two major league sources.  —  The trade is pending a physical that Gorzelanny is expected to take on Tuesday.

Blue Jays Sign Jon Rauch  —  The Blue Jays announced that they signed Jon Rauch to a one-year deal that pays the reliever $3.5MM in 2011 and includes a club option for $3.75MM in 2012.  There's a $250K buyout for the 2012 option, so the deal is worth a total of $3.75MM in guaranteed money …

Why the Cardinals may not offer Pujols an A-Rod-type deal … Albert Pujols' decision, via agent Dan Lozano, to set a deadline of spring training for a new multiyear deal with the Cardinals, could be a sign things aren't going all that well in the negotiations.  But it could also be an attempt to force a deal.

Source: Chris Young, Mets close  —  The New York Mets are closing in on a deal with free-agent right-hander Chris Young, a source within the organization told ESPNNewYork.com.  —  Young, 31, made three September starts for the San Diego Padres last season, after missing most of the season with a strained right shoulder.

Sources: New York Yankees lead chase for OF Andruw Jones  —  Looking for some outfield depth, the New York Yankees are the leading candidate to land free agent Andruw Jones, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Monday.  —  Their AL East rival, the Tampa Bay Rays …

Thames nearing deal with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers' search for a power bat has them on the verge of signing free-agent outfielder Marcus Thames, but veterans Eric Chavez and Gabe Kapler are also in the mix, according to baseball sources.  —  The club declined to confirm that a signing of Thames was close.

Martin says'distractions' led to drop-off in play  —  Russell Martin says he knows why he has skidded from stardom to mediocrity in the prime of his career.  —  But beyond vague allusions to “frustrations” and “distractions,” he politely declines to explain.  —  “There's some things that you keep for yourself,” Martin said.

New York Yankees less confident Andy Pettitte will return next season, executive says  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees' optimism about the return of Andy Pettitte has waned somewhat over the past week, a team source told ESPNNewYork.com on Monday.  —  “Last week I thought the chances were 60-40.

15 worst endings ever to regular-season games  —  Last month I saw the most enjoyable sports column I've read in some time.  Naturally, Joe Posnanski wrote it.  Titled “The Agony of Defeat,” it presented admittedly-subjective picks for the worst endings ever to any sports games.

Rays avoid arbitration, sign Upton for $4.825  —  UPDATE, 3:57: Upton's deal is for $4.825-million.  —  DEVELOPING: The Rays and CF B.J. Upton avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to a one-year contract.  —  Terms were not yet available.  —  Upton made $3-million last year after going to a hearing …

Report: A's, reliever Brian Fuentes agree on 2-year deal  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Oakland Athletics and free-agent lefty reliever Brian Fuentes have agreed to terms on a two-year contract.  —  Fuentes  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity …