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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Communication breakdown between Diamondbacks, agent, hurts Willie Bloomquist's chances to remain in Arizona  —  Versatile infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist is drawing “a lot of interest” on the free agent market, agent Scott Boras said, adding that his client could land with a team that views him as more than a utility player.

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 …

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.

Brewers hitting coach up for BoSox gig?  —  The Red Sox are early in their search for a new manager, but Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum appears to be the front-runner, according to rival executives.  —  Sveum, who turns 48 on Nov. 23, interviewed for the Red Sox's opening on Wednesday.

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang's one-year, $4-million contract to return to the Washington Nationals gives the club at least a half-dozen pitchers to fill out a rotation.  —  That doesn't mean general manager Mike Rizzo is done looking for starters.  He described what he'd like to add during …