Cubs name Dale Sveum manager  —  MILWAUKEE — Dale Sveum says he considers himself more of a “stoic” manager than an emotional one.  —  Except maybe, he says, “when I'm arguing with an umpire.”  —  “One trait that you have to have as a manager,” says the man who was hired Thursday to replace Mike Quade …

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.

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 …

Yankees GM Brian Cashman sleeps in Times Square to raise awareness for homeless kids  —  Doing his best to help out Covenant House  —  Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman takes part in the Covenant House CEO Solidarity Sleepout.

New deal shows MLB learned lesson  —  MILWAUKEE  —  If the cancellation of the 1994 World Series is part of Bud Selig's legacy, then the lesson he learned is an even more important part.  —  Baseball's new five-year collective-bargaining agreement is a tribute not just to the commissioner …

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 …

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 …

Amaro: Phillies aren't looking to trade Hamels  —  MILWAUKEE - The caveat was necessary for a man who has dealt away aces and top prospects, players thought untouchable - a label that, truthfully, does not exist in baseball and certainly not in Ruben Amaro Jr.'s mind.

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.