Braves trade Lowe to Indians … NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the trade says the Cleveland Indians have acquired pitcher Derek Lowe from the Atlanta Braves for a minor league pitcher.  —  Lowe, who has 166 career wins, was acquired Monday for left-hander Chris Jones …

La Russa announces his retirement as skipper  —  Steps down after three titles in 33 seasons, 16 with Cardinals  —  Tony La Russa, the third-winningest manager in Major League history and most assuredly a future Hall of Famer, announced his retirement as a manager on Monday …

Official Elias Rankings  —  MLBTR has obtained the official Elias rankings for this offseason.  The list below includes all unsigned ranked free agents.  —  Once the regular season ended, the Elias Sports Bureau took all players over the 2010-11 period, divided them into five groups for each league …

Nationals name Davey Johnson manager for 2012  —  The Nationals this morning formally announced Davey Johnson as their manager for the 2012 season, exercising an option in his contract and continuing a tenure that began last season amidst upheaval and concluded with one of the most promising …

Source says Yankees extend offer to Sabathia  —  According to a New York Yankees executive, the terms of a renegotiated deal for pitcher CC Sabathia were transmitted to his representatives over the weekend, but the team has yet to receive a response.  —  “We believe it is a very fair offer,” the executive said.

Red Sox exercise 2012 option on Scutaro  —  Talk about a nice birthday present.  The Red Sox today picked up their $6 million team option on Marco Scutaro.  —  The shortstop, who turned 36 today, hit .299 with a .358 on-base percentage in 2011 over 113 games.  He hit .387/.438/.581 in September.

Aramis may be headed for free agency  —  CHICAGO — Aramis Ramirez appears headed for free agency.  —  The Cubs announced Sunday night that they will exercise their side of the $16 million option for 2012, and the third baseman has two days to declare his interests.

Shortstop Jose Reyes one of seven NY Mets heading for free agency  —  Alderson & Co. hoping to bring back Chris Capuano  —  The Mets are content to let other MLB clubs set the market for start shortstop Jose Reyes.  —  Seven Mets were among the 148 major leaguers listed by the Players' Association …

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)  —  The Braves have promoted an impressive group of prospects to Atlanta during the past two seasons, resulting in a subtle youth movement that came together earlier than expected.  Jason Heyward and Jonny Venters made significant impacts …

Pirates part ways with Maholm, Snyder, Doumit, Cedeno  —  The Pirates today severed ties with four of their most veteran players — pitcher Paul Maholm, shortstop Ronny Cedeno and catchers Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder.  The team declined to exercise the players' contract options for 2012, making them free agents.

Tony LaRussa and the Hall of Fame Screw  —  Tony LaRussa's retirement points out a real problem with the Hall of Fame's current procedures on voting in managers.  Current managers fall under the jurisdiction of the Expansion Era Committee, an appointed 16-member group.

Hundreds of Thousands at Cardinals Parade, Rally  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — A red sea of fans jammed downtown St. Louis Sunday to honor the World Series champion Cardinals and send a clear message to Albert Pujols: Please stay.  —  An official crowd estimate was not immediately available …

Lopez, Giants agree to two-year contract  —  The Giants have agreed to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with reliever Javier Lopez, who will receive $4.25 million per in 2012 and '13.  —  The deal, first reported by The Associated Press on Sunday afternoon, has yet to be officially announced by the team.