Car used by abductors of Nats' Ramos found … CARACAS, Venezuela — Officials said Thursday they have found the vehicle used by armed men who abducted Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, a case that highlights a sharp rise in kidnappings in Venezuela.

Pirates Sign Rod Barajas  —  The Pirates announced that they signed catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year deal that includes a team option for 2013.  Barajas will earn a $4MM salary in 2012 and the option would pay him another $3.5MM in 2013, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter).

Dodgers, Kemp discussing long-term contract  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, unlikely to pursue top-tier free agents Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder because the team is for sale, nonetheless are in negotiations on a long-term contract for Matt Kemp that have had “more substance lately,” according to a baseball source.

Jorge Posada says return to Yankees is ‘not going to happen,’ catcher may be staring at retirement  —  Former catcher says he will ‘always be a Yankee’  —  Has Jorge Posada waved goodbye to the Yankee Stadium faithful for the final time?  —  The Jorge Posada era in New York is over.

Marlins escort Reyes on tour of Miami  —  Team president Samson calls free-agent shortstop a ‘priority’  —  MIAMI — A stadium tour and lunch at South Beach institution Joe's Stone Crab were on the menu for Jose Reyes on Wednesday.  —  Marlins president David Samson called the free-agent shortstop …

The market for Pujols and Fielder  —  How many years?  How many millions?  And where will the sluggers land?  —  ESPN.com  —  It isn't every baseball winter that free-agent mashers such as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder hit the market at the same time — at the same position, no less.

No progress in Red Sox-Cubs negotiations  —  Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told reporters Wednesday there has been no progress in negotiations with the Cubs over compensation for Theo Epstein.  —  The two hope to hash it out in Milwaukee next week at the general managers' meetings, which begin Monday.

MetsBlog Q&A: Cerrone talks to Sandy about spending  —  Tonight, Sandy Alderson will be a guest on this season's debut episode of SNY's Mets Hot Stove Report, which airs every Thursday night at 7 pm ET.  —  Last week, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone caught up with Alderson for a quick …

Rockies still seeking solution at second base  —  DENVER — The Rockies are entering the 20th year of their quest for a long-term, high-quality answer at second base.  —  Here's a quick review of the almost annual ritual of change:  —  • It's one of two positions at which the Rockies …

Sandy Alomar Jr interviews for Red Sox manager job  —  BOSTON—Sandy Alomar Jr. is interviewing for the Boston Red Sox manager's job.  —  Alomar was scheduled to meet with reporters on Wednesday night after a day of talking with Red Sox officials.  He's the third to interview for the job, after Pete Mackanin and Dale Sveum.

Mets will ditch the black drop-shadow in 2012  —  In his recent chat for ESPN New York, Adam Rubin backed up his story from last summer indicating the Mets will eliminate the drop shadow from their uniforms next season.  —  According to Rubin, “The Mets are going to borrow significantly, I hear, from the early 1960s uniforms. ...

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 …

Projecting Prince Fielder's career  —  Prince Fielder has been a beast over the last 3 years.  He missed only 1 game in that time while posting a 155 OPS+.  —  Since 1901, Fielder is tied for the 35th-best OPS+ over the 3 seasons comprising Age 25, 26, & 27 (minimum 1500 plate appearances.)