DALLAS  • Talks for free agent first baseman Albert Pujols may finally have found their missing element: momentum.  —  The Cardinals and Miami Marlins further defined themselves Monday as the leading contenders to secure the three-time National League most valuable player during alternating talks …

Red Sox source: David Ortiz will be back  —  DALLAS — A Red Sox source said Tuesday that “one way or another” he expects free-agent designated hitter David Ortiz to return to Boston for the 2012 season.  —  That would mean Ortiz either accepts what is believed to be a two-year deal …

Blue Jays Acquire Sergio Santos  —  The Blue Jays acquired reliever Sergio Santos from the White Sox for righty prospect Nestor Molina, announced the team.  —  In Santos, 28, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos found his closer on the trade market.  The converted infielder posted a 3.55 ERA …

Brewers a ‘favorite’ for Ramirez  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Dallas - I just spoke with Paul Kinzer, the agent for third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who told me he considers the Brewers “a favorite” to sign his free-agent client.  —  Kinzer, who has met with the Brewers …

Talent-rich Royals drawing interest in Dallas  —  DALLAS — Wearing a workout top and running shoes, Dayton Moore looked more ready to go jogging through the wet streets of Dallas than to go sprinting after a deal in the bustling lobby of the Hilton Anatole.

Rockies discussing Street-for-Volquez deal with Reds  —  DALLAS — The Rockies and Reds, two teams willing to talk about myriad trade scenarios at this week's winter meetings, have discussed a deal involving reliever Huston Street in exchange for starter Edinson Volquez, according to a major-league source.

Hanley Ramirez doesn't want 3B move  —  By By Enrique Rojas ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com  —  DALLAS — Hanley Ramirez has informed the Miami Marlins that he does not want to move from shortstop to third base, a source told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com on Tuesday.

Capps' time with Twins extended  —  The reliever who pitched with sore forearm last season will get a one-year deal for $4.75 million.  —  DALLAS - The more General Manager Terry Ryan spoke about Matt Capps over the last week, the more it became apparent that Capps was headed back to the Twins.

Rockies agree to acquire Slowey from Twins  —  DALLAS — The Rockies have agreed to acquire right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey from the Twins for a player to be named.  The deal will be announced officially sometime Tuesday morning.  —  Slowey, 27, is coming off a difficult 2011 …

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.

The BBWAA grants FanGraphs accreditation, denies SB Nation  —  The Baseball Writers Association of America just had their annual meeting.  At that meeting they consider new applications for membership and reconsider old ones.  They just did it with Fangraphs and SB Nation: accreditation granted to the former, denied to the latter.

Dodgers add J. Hairston, working on Harang  —  DALLAS — The Dodgers have signed utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. to a two-year, $6 million deal and are working toward another two-year deal with right-handed starting pitcher Aaron Harang.  —  General manager Ned Colletti has been pursuing Hairston …