Kimbrel, Hellickson take top rookie awards  —  Braves closer set freshman saves mark; Rays righty won 13  —  Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson received high honors for their outstanding first full seasons in the Major Leagues on Monday, as they were named …

McCourt to Dodgers fans: I'm very, very sorry … COMPTON, Calif. — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt apologized to the teams' fans on Monday and said he is determined to “hand off this franchise in better shape than I found it.”  —  “I know the last couple years were very …

Sources: Mariners would kick in cash to move Figgins  —  The Mariners are willing to include cash in order to trade the underperforming Chone Figgins, major-league sources say.  —  Mariners officials are hopeful that teams in need of a leadoff man will engage them in trade talks over the next few weeks.

Sources: Tigers interested in Prado  —  With Aaron Hill returning to the Diamondbacks on a two-year, $11 million deal, the Tigers believe they may need to turn to the trade market to fill their opening at second base.  —  The Tigers are interested in Atlanta's Martin Prado, sources say.

MLBPA puts meetings on hold  —  Meetings scheduled for the Major League Baseball Players Association this week have been postponed because of ongoing negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement, league sources told FOXSports.com late Monday.  —  Baseball player agents …

Realignment, labor, Astros, playoffs mean key week for MLB  —  MILWAUKEE - Major League Baseball's power brokers began arriving Monday in Milwaukee, and by the time they leave town Thursday, the baseball landscape may be dramatically different.  —  In the next 72 hours …

Hanley is not pleased about changing positions  —  A source has told Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, Hanley Ramirez is not at all pleased at the prospect of changing positions if the Marlins sign Jose Reyes.  In addition, the source says the two are not the friends many portray them to be.

D-backs, Hill agree to two-year contract  —  Pending physical, deal allows parties to avoid arbitration  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs' infield picture became much clearer as they reached agreement with second baseman Aaron Hill on a two-year contract, a baseball source confirmed Monday.

Inbox: Lowe, Grady heat up Hot Stove  —  Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions … What are your thoughts on the Derek Lowe trade?  For only $5 million, how could you go wrong with the crafty veteran?  All the Indians had to part with was an A-ball reliever.  I like the deal for both sides.

Closer tops shopping list as Mets ax payroll  —  Mets on Twitter  —  As for Wright, the Mets definitely will listen to trade offers.  But the likelihood is they will not be offered enough in return to make losing him from the lineup worthwhile, especially since they sense it would also further infuriate their fans.

Offseason shopping on a budget: Relievers  —  For the second straight offseason the Twins need relief help.  Last winter they ignored the free agent market, trusted various in-house options, and wound up with a fire-starting bullpen that had the worst ERA in baseball.

GMs convene in Milwaukee as Hot Stove simmers  —  MILWAUKEE — It happens this time every year.  Someone either writes, texts or emails with a simple question: What do you cover when the season is over?  —  In a word, baseball.  —  It's become a year-round news cycle.

Dodgers set their sights on veteran Treanor  —  MILWAUKEE — The Dodgers' search for a veteran catcher apparently has turned to Matt Treanor, who split time between the Royals and Rangers in 2011, according to a baseball source.  —  The Dodgers are looking for a replacement for Rod Barajas …

Theo Epstein endures an existential crisis as he negotiates with Red Sox  —  Cubs president of baseball operations (and former Red Sox GM) Theo Epstein (AP)  —  RANDOLPH, Vt. — Theo Epstein has been the president of baseball operations for the Cubs for just under three weeks.