Phillies, Madson near $44M deal?  —  NewsCore  —  Will the Phillies re-sign Ryan Madson or won't they?  —  The answer is still not known.  —  The Phillies were close to agreeing with Madson on a four-year, $44 million free-agent contract, according to numerous reports on Tuesday.

Rap song reveals Reyes' free-agent feelings  —  Mets on Twitter  —  So, what's in a rap song?  Perhaps, the key to Jose Reyes' free agent future.  —  While on hold waiting to speak with someone from Peter Greenberg and Associates, the agency that represents Reyes, I heard a familiar, high-pitched voice.

Rangers must make splash in free agency  —  The Rangers need to change the conversation, and I'm not talking about manager Ron Washington's earthy speech to his players before Game 7 of the World Series.  —  No, I'm talking about spring training, when the team will want to move past its crushing Series defeat.

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.

Yankees ready to enter arms race  —  The Yankees are sampling a wide marketplace for pitching, though it might be awhile until general manager Brian Cashman is ready to proceed to the checkout counter.  —  On the free agent front, Cashman already has reached out to Bob Garber …

Ian Stewart remains a possibility at third base for Rockies  —  The Rockies have a number of directions they can pursue to address third base, an offensive sinkhole last season.  —  While a trade cannot be ruled out — the top targets, Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and David Wright of the Mets …

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 …

Yankees have eyes on Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes  —  Yankees among teams considering a pitch to outfielder Yoenis Cespedes  —  Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes (r.) reportedly has captured the interest of Yankee scouts.  —  For every Orlando Hernandez, there's a Kei Igawa.

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 …