Astros receive permission to interview Rays GM Friedman  —  The Astros have received permission to interview Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, according to officials with knowledge of the organization's thinking.  —  Although the club has asked to interview “a handful” …

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.

MLB Releases Info on 2011 Postseason Shares  —  A full Postseason share for the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals totaled $323,169.98, while a full share for the American League Champion Texas Rangers amounted to $251,515.76, Major League Baseball announced today.

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 …

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 …

Source: Pirates aren't trading McCutchen  —  The Pirates have not entertained any trade offers for All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, a high-ranking team source said tonight, and have no intention of doing so.  —  An ESPN report earlier today said the team would listen to offers for McCutchen this offseason.

Nats show interest in Fielder, others  —  All that talk about the Nationals not wanting free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder?  —  Don't believe it.  —  The Nationals are showing serious interest in Fielder and view Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes as a potential Plan B, according to major-league sources.

‘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.

Talkin' Cooperstown on Clubhouse Confidential  —  It gives me great pleasure to announce that I'll be debuting on MLB Network's Clubhouse Confidential on Tuesday at 5:30 PM Eastern.  For the uninitiated, Clubhouse Confidential is a cutting-edge attempt to put advanced statistics in the television spotlight …

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 …

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.