MLB slams McCourt in bankruptcy court filing  —  Major League Baseball proposed a bankruptcy financing plan for the Dodgers on Tuesday, asking a Delaware court to reject a plan offered Monday by Frank McCourt and mincing no words in blaming the Dodgers' owner for the team's current financial predicament.

As race with the Red Sox heats up, Yankees may pay price for arms  —  The Yankees have the best record in the American League and the worst record against the Red Sox.  —  Which carries the most influence with the trade deadline a month away?  —  Organizations generally try to build a team …

The Math Problem  —  Sabermetrics can help teams identify hidden talent and turn regular sports fans into math nerds.  But can the numbers lie?  —  Buying a car is a hard decision.  There are just so many variables to think about.  We've got to inspect the interior and analyze the engine, and research the reliability of the brand.

Williams defends Dunn signing  —  Sox GM covers many bases in wide-ranging interview  —  White Sox general manager Kenny Williams has no regrets about signing slugger Adam Dunn.  (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / December 3, 2010)  —  Saying, “I would make the same move tomorrow” …

MLB Suspends Donavan Tate For Drug Of Abuse  —  Padres outfielder Donavan Tate, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2009 draft, was suspended for 50 games Tuesday for violating Major League Baseball's drug prevention and treatment program.  Tate tested positive a second time for a drug of abuse …

Cecil Fielder thinks Mets could have chance at signing son Prince Fielder when he hits free agency  —  Could Prince Fielder be a Met next year?  His father, Cecil, seems to think it could happen.  —  They say they are losing money off the field and they're struggling to contend on it …

Jenks hopes health woes are thing of past  —  PHILADELPHIA — Bobby Jenks hit the re-start button again on Tuesday night, when he was activated from his second stint on the 15-day disabled list.  —  The combination of pitching struggles and health woes have been trying for Jenks …

Indians OF Choo has thumb surgery  —  CLEVELAND—Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo could miss up to 2 1/2 months after having surgery on his broken left thumb.  —  Choo's thumb was broken Friday night in San Francisco when he was struck while batting in the fourth inning by Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez.

Blue Jays recall Brett Cecil  —  Brett Cecil is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  The American League club announced on Tuesday that the left-handed pitcher has been recalled from Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.  —  To make room for Cecil on the roster the Blue Jays …

Burrell, Rowand Lead Giants Past Cubs in DH Opener  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand each drove in three runs and the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 13-7 on Tuesday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.  —  The Giants' offensive outburst surpassed …

Twins lifer Fox, once club president, dies  —  Howard Fox, who spent more than 50 years working for the Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators organization, died on Tuesday in hospice care near his home in Orlando, Fla. He was 90.  —  Fox began his career as the general manager of a Senators' Minor League affiliate in the late 1940s.

Wainwright fights to get back quickly  —  Much like the 35 or so players who have been on the Cardinals' roster this season, Adam Wainwright is on a mission.  Or at least he has a dream.  —  “My modest goal,” he said, “is try to talk them into letting me play on the playoff roster in October.”

Surging Yanks host NL Central-leading Brewers … A veteran lineup continues to produce for New York Yankees, who have a slim lead in the AL East.  —  The Milwaukee Brewers have opened a slightly larger advantage in the NL Central thanks to their young stars.

Oh, the humanity: Interview with Yankees' farm system boss, Mark Newman  —  Yankees' Senior VP Mark Newman is on the open road, in the midst of visiting all of the Bombers' minor league affiliates.  NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese caught up with farm system boss in Trenton, and talked about everything under the sun.