Sources: Cubs pursuing Pujols, Fielder  —  The Cubs are pursuing both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, and not simply because the free-agent first basemen are difference-makers.  —  No, the Cubs also are acknowledging two emerging realities - a dwindling number of sluggers available …

Hiring the Red Sox manager will be (or should be) more than just solving a metric equation  —  People sometimes ask my opinion of sabermetrics.  —  I tell them I accept the concept.  I also hate it.  —  The use of advanced statistical data, better known as sabermetrics, is very much in Red Sox news these days.

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” …

Valentine or Lamont: Red Sox face style decision  —  What Ben Cherington and the Boston Red Sox brass must decide - and presumably they will in the coming hours - is if the big theater that comes with the big personality is worth hiring Bobby Valentine over the more staid and predictable Gene Lamont.

Royals To Sign Jonathan Broxton  —  The Royals have agreed to sign Jonathan Broxton to a one-year deal, pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link).  The deal is worth $4MM and includes $1MM in incentives based on games pitched, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter links).

Crane can hit homer with new hires  —  If the Astros hire Rays GM Andrew Friedman, then more power to them.  But new owner Jim Crane shouldn't count on it, given Friedman's loyalty to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and club president Matt Silverman.  —  No, Crane should count on conducting …

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.

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.

Yankees' Curtis Granderson says new HGH test important to Major League Baseball  —  Yankees center fielder wants to swat doubt  —  Curtis Granderson may have finished fourth in MVP voting but he's tops with city kids on Monday as he shows up at PS 19 in Bronx to celebrate renovation …

Unhappy with Ronny Paulino, NY Mets looking for new backup catcher  —  Mets looking to replace backup backstop on bench and behind plate  —  Mets manager Terry Collins and catcher Ronny Paulino are on same side in this discussion, but do not always see eye-to-eye , and that could be one reason …

SPORTS BASEBALL  —  Jays target closer Bell  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have targeted closer Heath Bell as a possible off-season signing.  (GETTY IMAGES)  —  The U.S. Thanksgiving sales have concluded.  —  Now, it's time for executives to move into high gear leading into next month's baseball's winter meetings in Dallas.