Sveum headed to Cubs?  —  Sox may reopen manager search  —  Dale Sveum seems to be in good position regarding the Red Sox managing job - but the Cubs are interested in him, too.  (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)  —  MILWAUKEE - The Red Sox are prepared to open up their search for a new manager …

MLB adds two wild cards, moves Astros to AL  —  Two wild card teams will be added to Major League Baseball's playoffs no later than 2013, the same year the Houston Astros will begin play in the American League.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday that baseball's owners unanimously …

2011 NL Cy Young  —  Clayton Kershaw Rides Pitching Triple Crown to Award  —  Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw, a Triple Crown of pitching winner with league-best totals of victories (21), earned-run average (2.28) and strikeouts (248), won the National League Cy Young Award in balloting by the BBWAA.

Francoeur happy to have Sanchez aboard in KC  —  KANSAS CITY — Even though Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur will miss having Melky Cabrera next to him in center field next season, he feels the addition of pitcher Jonathan Sanchez is a plus.  —  “I like it,” Francoeur said.

Mets make progress in raising $200M  —  NEW YORK — The New York Mets are making progress in their bid to raise roughly $200 million through selling minority ownership shares in the franchise, sources familiar with the sale told ESPNNewYork.com.  —  The infusion would help principal owner Fred Wilpon …

Sources: Molina close to joining Rays  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Free-agent catcher Jose Molina is close to signing a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that includes an option for the 2013 season, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.  —  A deal could be completed within the next several days.

Phillips, Reds ‘not close’ to contract extension  —  Club hasn't met with rep for free-agent closer Cordero  —  CINCINNATI — Always a prolific user of Twitter, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips mentioned Wednesday he hoped to learn about his future with the club, and then on Thursday …

Brewers begin pursuit of new hitting coach  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers were already preparing for the departure of hitting coach Dale Sveum before the rival Chicago Cubs announced him as their new manager on Thursday.  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin spoke via telephone earlier …

Pujols continues shopping after Marlins' offer  —  The contract offer made to Albert Pujols(notes) by the Miami Marlins seems to be about where the St. Louis Cardinals have lingered since spring training, or much closer to Joe Mauer's(notes) numbers than Alex Rodriguez's.(notes)