Cardinals pick Matheny as La Russa's successor … ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are replacing a manager who's third on the career victory list with a man who'll be writing his first lineup card on opening day.  —  Mike Matheny, a former catcher with the Cardinals …

Sveum to get 2nd interview with BoSox  —  As the Red Sox and Cubs interviewed many of the same candidates for manager, the possibility existed that they would end up trying to hire the same guy.  —  The possibility is growing stronger.  —  Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum is scheduled …

MLB players, owners close in on deal  —  The most significant hurdle to a new labor deal in baseball is gone - or close to it.  —  Players and owners are in near-agreement on draft-related issues, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.  —  A deal is possible Sunday or Monday …

Stop Overrating Jose Reyes  —  As the rumors persist that Jose Reyes will sign with the Miami Marlins, the “Monday Morning Quarterbacking” of Sandy Alderson has begun.  The most persistent second guess to date is why didn't Alderson trade him in June or July when his value was the highest?

Jays looking to deal for closer  —  Blue Jays' Alex Anthopoulos has a surplus of prospects and could look to make a deal or two at the general managers meetings.  (Craig Robertson, Toronto Sun files) TORONTO -  —  Alex Anthopoulos says he hasn't hung up the phone on any agents representing free-agent relievers.

Sources: MLB sides close to OKing draft tweaks  —  Major League Baseball and its players' union appear to be close to agreeing to a draft structure that will serve to restrain signing bonuses — something commissioner Bud Selig has wanted — and could eliminate first-round draft pick compensation …

Rangers remain in contact with Wilson  —  Club would like lefty to return, but is prepared if he doesn't  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, whose wife gave birth to their third child on Saturday, said he has remained in contact with agent Bob Garber about pitcher C.J. Wilson.

A big Fielder salary doesn't really fit  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  I spoke this afternoon with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin about the upcoming GM meetings this week in Milwaukee.  —  Melvin said he might meet with agent Scott Boras at those meetings to discuss Prince Fielder and the free-agent market.

A-Rod determined to rebound for Yankees  —  They are the Yankees, so you learn never to say never.  They U-turned last January to sign Rafael Soriano and launched February surprises in their recent past to obtain Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez.  —  Thus, if they make a huge signing …

Ten greatest career-ending performances of all time  —  Earlier this fall, I wrote a pair of fun columns for THT: “Ten worst career-ending performances of all-time,” and “Ten weirdest career-ending performances of all-time.”  They're intended as fun pieces looking at the final moments of some of the game's greatest players.