Cubs' Epstein: Francona a top skipper option … The Theo Epstein-Terry Francona combo worked in Boston and there's a chance the duo might play in Chicago.  —  The new Cubs president of baseball operations said he spoke with the former Red Sox manager on Thursday and will speak again …

Mike Scott admits to scuffing the ball in 1986 … And the truth shall set you free Mr. Scott...  I was only seven year old during this series — with my 8th birthday less than a month away — so I'd be lying if I told you I remembered the debates on whether or not Scott was actually scuffing the ball.

Baseball great Matty Alou dies in Miami  —  Santo Domingo.- One of the most inconic Major League Baseball greats from the Dominican Republic, Mateo Rojas Alou (Matty Alou) died early Thursday in Miami of unspecified ailment.  —  Alou, one of the famous brothers Jesus and Felipe …

Braves Open To Trading Jurrjens, Prado  —  The Braves have told some teams they would be willing to move Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado in a trade, a Major League source tells MLB.com's Mark Bowman.  Atlanta is known to be looking for a power-hitting outfielder and possibly a new shortstop …

Ten Named To Golden Era Ballot for Baseball Hall of Fame Election  —  Eight Players, Two Executives from 1947-'72 Era to Be Considered at Winter Meetings  —  Watch a video about the Golden Era ballot  —  COOPERSTOWN, NY - Eight former major league players and two former executives comprise …

Willingham among five A's to hit open market  —  Seeking multi-year deal, slugger unlikely to return to Oakland  —  OAKLAND — Stuck in wait-and-see mode because of a stadium decision that's been looming for nearly three years, the A's were forced to let Wednesday's exclusive negotiating window …

Moyer primed for comeback at 49  —  FOX Sports  —  Forget comeback player of the year.  —  Jamie Moyer might become the comeback player of the half-century.  —  Moyer, who turns 49 later this month, is a free agent and has thrown for scouts twice recently, including Thursday in San Diego.

MLB All-Stars earn hard-fought win in Taiwan  —  Major Leaguers go ahead late to take Game 2 vs. Chinese Taipei  —  TAICHUNG, Taiwan — The quality of baseball in Taiwan is getting better quickly, and the stars of the Major Leagues got a good taste of that improvement Thursday night.

Is Giants' best hope trading Lincecum?  —  At this time last year, the baseball industry was raving about the San Francisco rotation.  After going more than a half-century between titles, the Giants had the pitching to win multiple championships.  —  But young starters are rarely as perfect as they seem.

Verlander Selected Player of Year in Union Vote  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander has been selected player of the year in voting by the Major League Baseball Players Association, becoming the second pitcher to earn the honor.  —  Verlander beat out Boston …

Kemp touches on contract, Prince, NL MVP  —  Dodgers star wants to stay in LA, hopes club can lure Fielder  —  LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp took time out from an offseason of collecting awards Thursday to talk about some really big awards he still might collect.