Tom Powers: Twins are aware of risks in Venezuela  —  After landing in last month Venezuela, Minnesota Twins outfielder Joe Benson hopped in a cab for the trip to Maracay and the home offices of Tigres de Aragua, his winter baseball team.  It wasn't long before the trip turned into a nightmare.

Pujols to meet with Marlins, possibly Saturday  —  The wooing of Albert Pujols is about to get under way in earnest.  —  An industry source told MLB.com on Thursday that Pujols' camp is scheduled to meet in Miami with the Marlins within the next few days, possibly as early as Saturday.

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).

Francona in the wings  —  He's apparently ready, ‘deep down’ willing and clearly able to manage Cubs  —  If the new Cubs hierarchy really wants to hire the most qualified manager available, they already would have introduced Terry Francona or will soon.  —  But Francona …

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.

From Another Era And Another Sport, A Sex Abuse Scandal Still Inflicting Pain Today  —  He remembers hearing the popping sound from far away.  He didn't know what it was so he followed the noise from the house on Avenue O. Half a mile Leeronnie Ogletree ran, the pops getting louder, the intrigue multiplying until he saw the stadium.

Pat Burrell says his career is likely over  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Pat Burrell's baseball career is likely over because of a troublesome right foot that hasn't healed and limited him this year for the Giants.  —  While Burrell said late in the season that he would contemplate retirement …

White Sox GM Williams not ready to deal — yet  —  According to general manager Ken Williams, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of interest in several of his Chicago White Sox players.  —  But Williams and his staff, which recently concluded several days of meetings at a cozy Scottsdale …

Yankees to play Mets twice during spring  —  The Yankees will play a pair of Spring Training exhibitions against the Mets for the first time since 1996, highlighting the club's Grapefruit League schedule released on Thursday.  —  With pitchers and catchers set to report to camp on Feb. 19 …

What do Broxton, Lidge and Nathan want?  —  We know what the Mets are seeking on the free agent market this winter: an affordable closer.  We also know that Brad Lidge, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Nathan are available former All-Star closers.  —  So what do those pitchers want?

Lefties Veal, Quintana added to pitching mix  —  The White Sox announced the signing of two left-handers on Thursday, agreeing to one-year deals with Donnie Veal and Jose Quintana.  —  Veal, 27, pitched at four levels in the Pirates organization this past season, including as high as Triple-A …

Epstein compensation may be decided soon  —  Red Sox bring in McClure to a scouting-advisory role  —  BOSTON — Ben Cherington's installment as the Red Sox's general manager has still left some unresolved issues.  —  The Sox have not yet announced how they're re-organizing …