Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012  —  The Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012.  Ron Johnson, a long-time minor-league skipper who spent the past two seasons as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox, is expected to take over as the manager of the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate.

Tal Smith disappointed with manner of firing, wants to stay in baseball  —  While not much a believer in titles, deposed Astros president of baseball operations Tal Smith saw a pretty good sign that change was barreling toward his desk when Jim Crane named George Postolos the president and CEO of his would-be ownership group.

Former Mets closer Wagner won't consider Phillies offer  —  The Phillies were interested in having Billy Wagner come out of retirement next season, but the star closer passed on both returning to baseball and rejoining the Mets' arch rivals.  —  Wagner, who retired after a sparkling 2010 with the Braves …

Tigers' sights are on Mark Buehrle, but they're not alone  —  Six years ago next week, the Tigers signed a 41-year-old left-handed pitcher named Kenny Rogers to balance a starting rotation heavy with youth.  —  The Tigers are packing for next week's Winter Meetings in Dallas and hope to grab …

Johnny Narron joins brother on Brewers staff  —  New hitting coach reunited with bench coach, replaces Sveum  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have found a hitting coach to replace the departed Dale Sveum, and it's a familiar name.  —  Johnny Narron, a former Brewers Minor League coach and manager …

MLB announces Cardinals' playoff share award  —  ST. LOUIS  • Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that the revenue generated by the sport's postseason created a pool of more than $57 million, and that each St. Louis Cardinal scheduled to receive a full playoff share will get a check for $323,169.98.

Garza to the Red Sox makes sense  —  ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Twitter today that the Cubs are open to trading Matt Garza.  —  Here's a crazy idea that just might work: send a few prospects to the Cubs for Garza as compensation for Theo Epstein.  —  Garza alone is way too much compensation …

‘Serious interest’ in Red Sox DH David Ortiz from other teams  —  Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has choices now.  —  The free agent is receiving “serious interest” from more than one team, an industry source said today, indicating that Ortiz has more than one offer already.

Pujols, Fielder top free-agent market  —  Beginning next Monday in Dallas, the baseball industry will swarm about the Hilton Anatole in Dallas for four frenetic days.  Every text message, phone call and footstep by the high-powered agents and executives will nudge the sport a little closer to spring training.

Numbers say Halos struggle to ‘create’ runs  —  Despite down season, Abreu led club in runs created in 2011  —  ANAHEIM — According to the machinery that churns out “runs created,” one of the popular categories in baseball's stat age, the Angels' most productive offensive player in 2011 was ... Bobby Abreu?

Minor leagues, umpires reach deal  —  NEW YORK — Five years after striking for the first two months of the season, minor league umpires reached an agreement on a new labor contract Monday, two days before their current deal was to expire.  —  The agreement calls for salaries to remain …

Rays trade C Jaso to Seattle for reliever Lueke  —  UPDATE, 9:01: Jaso, driving through the California mountains at the time, was caught off-guard by the news, expecting to come to spring training with a solid shot to be the front-line catcher: “Definitely surprised. ...  It was a really big shock.”