Red Sox acquire Mark Melancon from Astros  —  The Red Sox have made a significant addition to their bullpen, acquiring righthanded reliever Mark Melancon from the Astros for infielder Jed Lowrie and reliever Kyle Weiland.  The team confirmed the move in a press release this afternoon.

Rockies, Cards, Jays among those in on Beltran  —  The market for Carlos Beltran is heating up, with at least five clubs and possibly more seriously talking with the free agent outfielder.  Among them, according to sources: The Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and …

Darvish bidding process is cloak-and-dagger affair  —  The Yu Darvish sweepstakes is turning into a spy novel.  An international man of mystery.  Exorbitant amounts of money.  Suspense.  Lies.  Subterfuge.  The only things missing are a shifty mole and a double cross.

MLB is banking on Mets woes and may jump to take control as Wilpons will soon feel the financial squeeze  —  Source says cash crisis on club may go beyond control of Bud & Co.  —  On the day after word was leaked of the Mets taking out yet another loan, here is what you heard Tuesday …

Who's still in Fielder market, who's not  —  Albert Pujols will turn 32 next month.  It's very possible that his best seasons are behind him.  He just signed a 10-year, $254 million contract with the Angels.  —  Prince Fielder, 27, is entering his prime.  He had the better 2011 regular season.

Ranking the pitchers the Tampa Bay Rays are most likely to trade  —  The Rays have one of those good kinds of problems, with an excess of starting pitching.  They insist they're not seeking to trade one and would be fine going to spring training with all eight.

Role still being finalized, but Bill Smith likely returning to Twins  —  4:05 p.m. Twin Cities Sports Update - with John Heidt  —  SportsWire Twins Role still being finalized, but Bill Smith likely returning to Twins  —  Former general manager Bill Smith appears to have rejoined the Minnesota Twins' organization.

Jocketty is still frustrated  —  Walt Jocketty's progress report on the trade front:  —  “It's all I've been working on — trying to improve our pitching,” he said.  “It's been an extension of the winter meetings.  But we're still not close on anything.  It's very frustrating.”

The Agony Of Filling Out A Hall Of Fame Ballot  —  Does Jeff Bagwell belong in the Hall of Fame?  (Courant file photo)  —  While leaving an empty box next to Jeff Bagwell's name ...  Lots of folks have a bucket list, or at least that's the term they assign to it after the 2007 movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.