Is Cy Young winner Verlander a fit for MVP?  —  It is the nature of things anymore to regard tomorrow above today, and so within a few minutes of his winning the American League Cy Young Award on Tuesday, Justin Verlander(notes) was asked to assess his qualifications as AL MVP, the result of which will be announced Monday.

Terry Francona hasn't ruled out managing in 2012, but not for Chicago Cubs  —  Former Boston Red Sox skipper Terry Francona didn't completely rule out managing again in 2012, but he did pull himself out of the running for the Chicago Cubs job and said he would take a step back after not getting the St. Louis Cardinals position.

Maddon, Gibson named 2011's top skippers  —  Rays staged historic run to playoffs; D-backs went worst to first  —  Both men were responsible for remarkable turnarounds in 2011 — one on the drop of a dime in a one-month span, the other in stark contrast to the team's finish from a year previous.

Rockies pursuing No. 3, No. 4 starter  —  MILWAUKEE — When the Rockies claimed Wandy Rodriguez on waivers in August, they privately realized the urgency of the situation.  Colorado had leverage, willing to take on the entire $36 million remaining in his contract.

2012 Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …

Nationals kicking tires on Mark Buehrle, Tsuyoshi Wada — but not closers  —  Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo had a preliminary meeting Monday night with the agent for top free agent pitchers Roy Oswalt and C.J. Wilson, and before he leaves the GM Meetings here, he said …

Dodgers in no rush to ink Kershaw  —  Matt Kemp got his payday.  Will ace lefty Clayton Kershaw get his?  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw eventually will get the Matt Kemp treatment.  —  Just not yet.  And, as the Dodgers reduce payroll, don't expect them to sign any major free agents, either.

Yankees invite C.J. Wilson to New York to meet with team  —  MILWAUKEE — Pleased with what he termed general manager Brian Cashman's “aggressiveness,” the agent for free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson said tonight that the Yankees have invited him to New York to meet with team decision-makers.

Dodgers sue Fox Sports, alleging interference in team sale [UPDATED]  —  The Dodgers sued Fox Sports on Wednesday, alleging the television company is trying to “interfere with the sale of the Dodgers and their assets in bankruptcy.”  —  The suit was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware …

Ike Davis is healthy, back and ready to go  —  This afternoon at Citi Field, Ike Davis enthusiastically declared, “I'm healthy.  I'm back.  I feel great and I'm ready to go.”  —  According to Davis, his ankle injury is behind him and he's happy he didn't have surgery because, right now, it would mean he'd still be in a boot.

Should pitching-rich Phils trade Hamels?  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Trading left-hander Cole Hamels would qualify as a surprise — but no greater a surprise than trading lefty Cliff Lee and acquiring righty Roy Halladay in December 2009, or signing Lee back last offseason.

Q&A: Eric Hosmer  —  Eric Hosmer finished third in this year's American League Rookie-of-the-Year balloting, but you might not want to bet against his going on to have a better career than the players who finished one-two.  The left-handed-hitting Royals first baseman hit .293/.334/.465 …