Rangers, Kinsler talking new deal  —  General manager Jon Daniels has said throughout the off-season that retaining the core players from two World Series runs is the top priority for the Texas Rangers, though for now the process is in the preliminary stages.

King's Latest: Yankees, Fielder, Rangers, McGehee  —  Here are some notes from George A. King III of The New York Post...  - “I am ready to rock and roll,” said Yankees GM Brian Cashman while acknowledging that he still isn't optimistic about making a major pitching addition.  “The Yankees are open for business.”

Source: Matt Moore, Rays agree  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have reached agreement with rookie pitcher Matt Moore on a guaranteed five-year, $14 million contract, according to a baseball source.  —  The deal includes multiple club options and could extend to eight years for a guaranteed $37.5 million …

Interpreting Scott Boras' Comments On Prince Fielder  —  There's more finesse to Scott Boras' sales pitch than there is to Prince Fielder's swing, but neither man holds back.  In Dallas this week Boras argued that the free agent first baseman can invigorate a fan base and strengthen a lineup …

Sharing the gift of Albert Pujols  —  Sorry, Cardinals fans, but it's time to expose his otherworldly skills to the AL  —  As Scott Rolen and I leaned on the batting cage at home plate, we watched the hitter in the batter's box very closely.  Rolen and I had our own language …

D'Backs Close To Acquiring Cahill, Breslow  —  5:41pm: Neither Miley nor Borchering is involved in the trade, tweets Piecoro.  —  5:22pm: Arizona may also send left-hander Wade Miley to Oakland along with Parker and Cowgill, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Nationals send Balester to Tigers for Perry  —  The Tigers and Nationals swapped a pair of right-handed relievers on Friday, when Washington sent 25-year-old Collin Balester to Detroit for 24-year-old Ryan Perry.  —  Balester is out of options after splitting last season between the Majors and Triple-A Syracuse.

Rhiner Cruz? 1st Pick?  Seriously?  —  In seeing Rhiner Cruz' name as the top pick in this year's Rule 5 draft, my first thought was this would be the last time I ever spent a tangible amount of time prepping for it.  In a moment of clarity, the Houston Astros helped me understand just how important the Rule 5 draft is NOT.

Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson deals enabled by TV revenue  —  The Angels' new deal with Fox Sports, said to be worth at least $3 billion and expected to cover 20 years, serves the team and the network.  Deal has yet to be officially announced.  —  The Angels signed free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols …

Phillies Sign Bush, Lerud, Purcey To Minors Deals  —  The Phillies have signed Dave Bush, Steven Lerud and David Purcey to minor league contracts, the team announced.  All three players will be invited to Major League spring training camp as non-roster players.