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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Nats in talks with Cora for backup infield spot  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are in serious talks with veteran infielder Alex Cora, according to a baseball source.  —  Washington has been looking for a backup infielder since the club decided that Willie Harris was no longer part of its plans.

Ramos, Norris among top catching prospects  —  Yanks, Nats, Jays dominate list of up-and-coming backstops … Finding good catching isn't the easiest thing to do.  Growing your own seems to be an even harder task.  Some can hit, but either can't handle the defensive rigors of the position …

Oliver honors MLK with day of volunteering  —  Rangers reliever joins others in cleanup of community center  —  On July 4, one expects to see fireworks.  Memorial Day requires solemn remembrance.  Halloween demands candy and costumes.  On Monday, Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver wanted …

Nationals avoid arbitration with John Lannan  —  The Nationals will avoid arbitration with left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan after agreeing on a one-year contract worth $2.75 million, according to a major league source.  —  Lannan, 26, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason.

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 …