Terry Francona Joins ESPN; Multi-faceted Role Includes Sunday Night Baseball Analyst  —  Terry Francona, two-time World Champion manager of the Boston Red Sox, has joined ESPN in a multiplatform role which will include serving as an analyst for Sunday Night Baseball, the network's exclusive national game of the week.

Marlins, Albert Pujols rep meet twice  —  How serious are the Miami Marlins about their push to sign Albert Pujols?  The team scheduled a second meeting of the day with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, for Monday night.  —  The two sides met for about a half-hour Monday afternoon …

Dodgers sign Jerry Hairston Jr.  —  DALLAS — The Los Angeles Dodgers capped a flurry of activity on the first day of baseball's winter meetings by signing free-agent infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on Monday.  Hairston's two-year deal is worth $6 million, according to a source.

Executive VP Friedman staying with Rays  —  DALLAS — Andrew Friedman will remain with the Rays as the team's executive vice president of baseball operations.  —  For the past several weeks, Friedman has been mentioned in rumors as one of the candidates for the Astros' general manager's vacancy.

Rangers pursuing Oliver's return to Texas  —  DALLAS — Left-handed reliever remains a significant need for the Rangers.  General manager Jon Daniels would like to fill that hole with Darren Oliver.  —  Daniels said he has had preliminary discussions with Oliver's agent, Jeff Frye …

Latest on Jurrjens and Prado, and other notes  —  DALLAS — More baseball talk from the first full day at the winter meetings:  — The Braves' duo of Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado continue to be as sought after as any players on the slow-developing trade market.

Ron Santo Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by Golden Era Committee  —  Chicago Third Baseman to Be Inducted in Cooperstown, July 22, 2012  —  DALLAS, TX — Ron Santo, a nine-time All-Star who amassed 342 home runs and five Gold Glove awards, has been elected to the National Baseball Hall …

Trade interest heats up for Rockies' Smith  —  DALLAS — Rockies outfielder Seth Smith is drawing interest from multiple clubs, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said Monday, the opening day of baseball's Winter Meetings.  —  It's not a guarantee that the Rockies will deal Smith …

AP source: Twins keep Matt Capps for $4.75 million  —  DALLAS (AP) - A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that closer Matt Capps and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a $4.75 million, one-year contract.  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal had not yet been announced.

Zambrano convinced he'll remain a Cub  —  Friends says pitcher ‘looking forward to proving himself’  —  Carlos Zambrano walked out on the Cubs after this Aug. 12 game in Atlanta.  (Mike Zarrilli/Getty photo)  —  DALLAS — Carlos Zambrano has told friends that after meeting …

Blue Jays ready to get down to business  —  This is why it's good to have “people” to do stuff for you.  Alex Anthopoulos rolled into the Hilton Anatole on Sunday night for baseball's winter meetings, flying past the check-in counter and into an elevator pursued by a pack of Japanese reporters …