Pujols will likely decline Cards' arbitration offer  —  Should All-Star sign elsewhere, St. Louis gets two Draft picks  —  ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals formally offered arbitration to Albert Pujols on Wednesday, ensuring that if the superstar is playing for another club in 2012, they'll get some recompense.

Transcript of Press Conference with Bud Selig, Michael Weiner Announcing MLB Labor Deal  —  When MLB's labor deal was announced on Tuesday, it sets in motion a host of changes that will drastically alter how the game functions, both on and off the field.  —  The following is a transcript …

Former NY Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra holds first sit-down interview since plea in grand theft auto case  —  Jail, rehab humble Dykstra  —  Former Mets Lenny Dykstra says he now looks at world from a cleaner, clearer perspective.  —  LOS ANGELES — The former Met known as “Nails” …

Could some of the Cubs' culture bite the dust?  —  In a year of change, perhaps Cubbies, ‘Go, Cubs, Go’ will go bye-bye  —  Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a news conference to announce the hiring of manager Dale Sveum on Nov. 18.  (US Presswire Photo)

Scouts even more crucial with new CBA  —  Baseball has a new collective-bargaining agreement.  This is good news.  Play ball.  —  And yet the reaction in some corners of the industry sounds a little like the booing and hissing that followed the collapse of the Congressional deficit super committee.

Phillies' Madson and Rollins offered arbitration  —  The Phillies mixed in a surprise when they revealed their salary-arbitration offers Wednesday.  —  As expected, shortstop Jimmy Rollins and closer Ryan Madson were offered arbitration, and reliever Brad Lidge and starter Roy Oswalt were not.

Bobby Valentine Will Be Fun With Red Sox, But It Won't End Well  —  This started Nov. 3 at the Hartford Club.  And make no mistake, it would end spectacularly.  This started with an arranged meeting before a World Affairs Council event on Prospect Street.  And the prospect of it ending …

Mets Owners Will Face Jury if Madoff Case Goes to Trial  —  The owners of the Mets will face a jury should there be a trial in the case filed against them by the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff's fraud, a federal district judge ruled Wednesday.  The Mets' owners had opposed a jury trial.

Aramis Ramirez offered arbitration  —  The Chicago Cubs have offered arbitration to free agents Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena, the team annouced Wednesday.  —  Both players are classified as a Type B free agents by Major League Baseball.  That classification could behoove the Cubs if either player signs elsewhere.

Cesar Izturis Drawing Interest  —  Cesar Izturis is looking for a Major League deal and has drawn interest from several teams, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).  The infielder won't be re-signing with the Orioles, according to Connolly.