Maddux brings levity to managerial interview  —  Defers talk of brother Greg joining staff; Alomar on tap Friday  —  CHICAGO — Mike Maddux did his homework before interviewing for the Cubs job by talking to his brother, Greg, who could possibly join his older sibling's coaching staff if he were hired to manage the team.

Marlins court prized free agent shortstop Reyes  —  MIAMI — Jose Reyes is being courted by the Florida Marlins, who treated the All-Star shortstop to a tour of their new ballpark and lunch on South Beach.  —  Reyes was in Miami on Wednesday, team president David Samson said on his weekly radio show on WAXY-AM.

Phillies, Madson discussing $44M deal  —  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.

Report: Wilson Ramos kidnapped in native Venezuela  —  Awful news to pass along.  Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his hometown of Valencia, Venezuela, according to his Venezuelan winter league team.  —  Ramos, 24, had gone home for the winter and planned to participate …

Yankees looking at Cuban outfielder  —  Yankees pitching guru Rick Williams' arrival in Santo Domingo yesterday created a buzz throughout the scouting fraternity in the Dominican Republic that has been following the workouts of Cuban refugees.  —  However, the Yankees appear to be more interested …

Posada on return to Yanks: ‘Not gonna happen’  —  NEW YORK — Jorge Posada remains undecided on his future, but believes it won't be with the New York Yankees.  —  “It's not gonna happen,” Posada said Wednesday night at a Manhattan function for The Jorge Posada Foundation.

Rockies contact Braves about slugging 2B Martin Prado  —  With the Braves open-minded about trading players, the Rockies have contacted them about infielder Martin Prado, according to a major league source.  —  The Rockies scouted Prado extensively last season and view him as a starting second baseman …

Don't count out Angels on big names  —  Jerry Dipoto, newly appointed senior vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, says not to count out the franchise as a player in the free-agent sweepstakes for Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols.  —  “Don't assume that we have no interest …

Kemp's agent hopes to reach new deal ‘soon’  —  The agent for Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder and National League Most Valuable Player candidate Matt Kemp said Wednesday that talks on a long-term contract extension for his client are moving in a positive direction and that he is optimistic an agreement will be reached.

Q&A: Bob Larsen still a fan, but not of new Yankee Stadium  —  VERO BEACH — Baseball fans in Vero Beach grew accustomed to seeing former Dodgers legends roaming the backfields of “Dodgertown.”  —  This week, they have had the opportunity to see some Yankee greats, too …

Beltran, Cespedes offer shoppers intriguing contrast  —  There's not a whole lot out there on the outfielder market, which is why it'll probably be good to be a young Cuban with a free-spirited video, and why it'll definitely be good to be Carlos Beltran(notes).

Minor League Transactions: Nov. 3-7  —  The first wave of minor league free agents began signing with new teams mere days after attaining free agency.  For those players who re-signed with the same organization, a distinction is made between those who signed prior to the Nov. 2 free agent declaration date.

Padres add piping, block letters to all uniforms  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres are sticking to their blue-and-white color scheme while updating their uniforms with cleaner, more traditional looks.  —  The updates include adding piping on the home whites, road grays and blue alternate jerseys.

Nailing down a closer just got a little tougher for Jays … Odds are if you stand outside the Rogers Centre long enough holding a bat and a glove, Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos will eventually wander down to watch you shag a few flies.  —  Just in case.  —  His legend as a man who wants …

Crasnick: Seven offseason questions for baseball executives  —  Pursue Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder?  Go after C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle?  Plus ...  ESPN.com  —  Major League Baseball's general managers will gather next week in Milwaukee as a prelude to the quarterly owners' meetings.