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 …

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 …

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.

Royals To Sign Jonathan Broxton  —  The Royals announced that they have agreed to sign Jonathan Broxton to a one-year deal, pending a physical.  The deal is worth $4MM and includes $1MM in incentives based on games pitched for the 27-year-old right-hander, who will be Kansas City's setup man in 2012.

Quirk leaving for the Cubs  —  Jamie Quirk, who has spent the last two seasons as Astros bullpen coach, is leaving the team to become bench coach for the Chicago Cubs under new manager Dale Sveum.  —  “It's just a great opportunity,” Quirk said.  “When Dale Sveum was interviewing …

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.

Mets, Cards in the running for Dotel  —  The Mets are strong players for right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.  Dotel, who celebrated his 38th birthday last week, posted a 2.61 ERA for the Cardinals in October after compiling a 3.28 ERA …

Giants Extend Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy  —  The Giants announced that they extended the contracts of GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy through 2013.  The deals for Sabean and Bochy include team options for 2014. … Every MLB team has changed GMs at least once since the Giants promoted Sabean in 1996.

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.

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 …

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.