Mets will pay 3% interest to investors  —  The New York Mets are hoping to drum up more interest in the team by paying a little interest.  —  The money-losing franchise, shopping $20 million to $30 million minority stakes to as many as 10 buyers, is now telling prospective investors …

Sources: Orioles close to naming Duquette GM  —  The Baltimore Orioles are close to officially naming Dan Duquette as their next general manager, two sources confirmed Saturday.  —  Duquette, formerly a GM for the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, interviewed in Baltimore Friday and was traveling …

Thome, Phillies agree to one-year deal  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jim Thome signified a rebirth of baseball in Philadelphia with his arrival in 2003.  —  He's coming back for possibly his final shot at a World Series championship.  —  Sources said Friday evening that the Phillies and Thome have agreed on a one-year contract.

Yankees ‘certainly will talk to’ Wilson despite postseason problems  —  C.J. Wilson has won 31 games in his two seasons as a starter for the Rangers, becoming one of the best lefties in the game and perhaps the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.

MLB All-Stars win fourth straight in Taiwan  —  Nats' Morse delivers go-ahead two-run single in sixth inning  —  KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — The venue changed, the weather heated up and the All-Stars of Major League Baseball kept on winning, but this one was close.

Harper ready for Rising Stars spotlight  —  Nats top prospect to play in nationally televised AFL showcase  —  If there was one knock about Bryce Harper's offensive game heading into the 2010 Draft, it was the length of his swing and how that might affect his ability to make adjustments.

Sources: Giants willing to deal Jonathan Sanchez  —  In an effort to free up money so they can pursue offensive upgrades, the Giants are willing to trade starter Jonathan Sanchez, according to major-league sources.  —  The Giants have one of the best (and most expensive) starting rotations in baseball.

Matheny interviews with Cardinals; but no Francona yet  —  The Cardinals interviewed Mike Matheny for the manager's job today, but they didn't talk to former Red Sox manager Terry Francona.  —  Matheny, a former Gold Glove catcher with the Cardinals, is currently a minor-league instructor in the organization.

Royals' efforts to acquire the Braves' Jurrjens stall  —  The hot stove grew warmer this week for the Royals, whose offseason efforts to bolster their rotation led to discussions with the Atlanta Braves regarding right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens.  —  Those talks stalled when the Braves …

Nats interested in free agent Oswalt to lead staff  —  WASHINGTON — After signing right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year deal, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that he wants to add another veteran starter to the rotation.  —  According to a baseball source …

Minor League Free Agents 2011  —  Major League Baseball granted free agency to 537 minor league players on Nov. 2, five days after Game Seven of the World Series heralded the end of the 2011 season.  The number of players in this year's free agent class is consistent with totals from 2010 (533 players) and '09 (536).