Cardinals interview Francona  —  The Cardinals interviewed former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona today in their process to replace Tony La Russa.  —  The interview took place in Cincinnati, where Cards chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. resides and operates his private equity firm, Reynolds DeWitt & Co.

Duquette re-enters Majors with Orioles position  —  Former Red Sox GM introduced as VP of baseball operations  —  BALTIMORE — After more than nine years out of Major League Baseball, Dan Duquette was officially introduced Tuesday morning as the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations …

Bailey could be the answer for Toronto  —  Buster Olney writes that the Toronto Blue Jays are looking at myriad ways to improve the back of their bullpen after a season with many blown saves.  Oakland closer Andrew Bailey could make a lot of sense for Toronto.  Plus, hot stove notes.

Inbox: Can Mariners woo Prince to Seattle?  —  Beat reporter Greg Johns answers questions from fans … Some people think it will be either impossible or silly for the Mariners to make a push for Prince Fielder in free agency.  I want to know, what would be the downside?

Notebook: Oswalt looking good; Pap, too  —  The Nationals plan a major push for free-agent right-hander Roy Oswalt, viewing him as the perfect veteran complement to Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, John Lannan and Chien-Ming Wang, major-league sources said.

Korean star pitcher Yoon could be in MLB in 2012  —  Right-hander Suk-Min Yoon, the 2011 MVP of the Korean Baseball Organization who starred in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, could play in the major leagues as soon as next season, his agent said Tuesday.  —  Scott Boras, whom Yoon …

Berkman calls Astros potential move to the American League ‘a travesty’  —  Lance Berkman's slip of the tongue wasn't your average inadvertent trip back through time like referring to the AL wild card winners as the “Devil Rays” or that tower next to the Galleria as whichever name was the old one.

Rangers exploring many options this offseason  —  Pitching Texas' top priority, but club could look at Pujols, Fielder  —  ARLINGTON — One year ago the Rangers were completely focused on re-signing pitcher Cliff Lee, and shuttles were running at regular intervals up to Little Rock …

Orioles' Simon cleared of manslaughter charge  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon has been acquitted of an involuntary manslaughter charge.  —  Simon  —  Defense attorney Dinora Dilone said Simon was acquitted Tuesday in the New Year's Eve shooting death …