Sources: Heath Bell, Marlins agree  —  The Miami Marlins and free-agent closer Heath Bell have agreed on a three-year contract, pending a physical, sources told ESPN.com.  —  The two sides have been talking about a deal that would pay Bell $9 million a year.  The deal also includes a vesting option for a fourth year.

Rockies' Stewart on trade block, but DeWitt not right fit  —  It has been said about Colorado weather, if you don't like it, wait 15 minutes.  The same applies to baseball's hot stove.  Trade talks, to the say the least, are fluid situations.  —  While the Rockies have explored trading …

Bobby Valentine Plans Blending Sabermetrics With Baseball Experience to Make Decisions With Red Sox  —  BOSTON — When news broke of Bobby Valentine earning the Red Sox managerial job, one of the first perceived conflicts was how a team that heavily relies upon advanced statistics and sabermetrics …

Brewers Looking For Bullpen, Infield Help  —  The Brewers stand to lose both Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez to free agency this winter, and GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel that he plans to talk to agents and look for bullpen help at the Winter Meetings next week (all Twitter links).

Transcript of Sandy Alderson's Conference Call with Bloggers  —  On Thursday evening, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson spent a good portion of his evening fielding questions from the blogs, and Eno, Eric, and I have put together the full transcript of the call.

Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison will have arthroscopic surgery Monday on right knee  —  Logan Morrison today visited with Marlins doctors, who examined his sore right knee.  Morrison will have minor surgery Monday and is expected to be riding an exercise bike the following week, according to his agent, Fred Wray.

Crasnick: Highly touted Cuban outfielder available for the taking  —  Cuban free-agent outfielder could command in the neighborhood of a $50 million deal  —  Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has yet to play a game in the major leagues, and some scouts are already comparing him to former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Raul Mondesi.

Trading Garza not on Epstein's mind  —  Matt Garza's name has surfaced in trade rumors recently because he's one of the few bargaining chips the Cubs have in trying to resuscitate an otherwise lifeless team.  —  But Cubs president Theo Epstein didn't sound like someone who was in a hurry to deal his best starter for inventory.

Bulked-up Chris Bosh: I'll play center if needed  —  Heat power forward Chris Bosh is ready, willing, and, this time, able to play center if called upon.  —  After shying from the assignment for much of his career, Bosh said he has resigned himself to the reality that he might be the Heat's best option in the middle at times.

Brewers, Cardinals, Giants In Talks With Alex Gonzalez  —  5:18pm: The Brewers and Cardinals are also interested in Gonzalez, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.  —  4:48pm: The Giants are negotiating with free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, reports Fernando Gonzalez of ESPN Deportes …