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.

Orioles VP Dan Duquette embraces imposing challenge  —  BALTIMORE- Back in the big leagues after a nine-year absence, Dan Duquette has undertaken an incredibly daunting task: rebuilding the dreadful Baltimore Orioles.  —  Many have tried.  None have succeeded.  Not recently, anyway.

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.

Money Wins: Is There Enough Parity In Baseball?  —  Yesterday afternoon, Jayson Stark considered the question, “Is the MLB's competitive balance a joke?”  His answer was a rather blunt no: … Stark's method of proving it — plucking facts from the recent playoff series and comparing …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Rockies eye starting pitching through trade, free agency  —  Adding a starting pitcher remains a top priority for the Rockies, leading them to discuss trades internally and express interest in free agents Kevin Millwood, Rich Harden and Bruce Chen.  —  The rival Giants set the bar …