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.

Cards not interested in Fielder if Pujols leaves  —  Image  —  • Don't expect the Cardinals to be in the market for a first baseman should Albert Pujols leave the club via free agency.  —  On the same day he received a standard ovation from his peers in recognition …

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.

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 …

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 …

Braves campaigning to get Murphy into Hall  —  ATLANTA — Bobby Cox, Phil Niekro, Pete Van Wieren and many of the most respected figures in Atlanta Braves history have long said they believe Dale Murphy belongs in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  —  With Murphy scheduled to be on the Hall …

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.

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 …

Blue Jays acquire Kimball on waivers from Nats  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays claimed right-hander Cole Kimball off waivers from Washington on Wednesday afternoon.  —  The Nationals had been trying to outright Kimball to Triple-A, but they were unable to get him through waivers.

Fielder's next stop: Brewers unlikely, Parma possible?  —  Already, we know the identity of one mystery team in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes.  —  Cariparma Parma, of course.  —  You're not familiar with them?  Well, Fielder is.  —  The free agent slugger was in Parma, Italy …

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.

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.