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 …

Kelly Shoppach agreement spells likely end for Jason Varitek with Red Sox  —  The Red Sox have agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million deal with catcher Kelly Shoppach.  (AP)  —  The writing had been on the wall for some time.  Whenever he was asked about Jason Varitek this offseason …

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.

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 …

TigerFest put on hiatus for one year  —  Renovations to Comerica Park necessitate cancellation  —  DETROIT — Progress usually takes time.  Sometimes, it takes more than that.  This is one of those times for the Tigers at Comerica Park, which is about to get some improvements for 2012.

Source: Indians, Jose Lopez in serious talks  —  The Indians, looking for a right-handed bat to help balance their predominantly left-handed lineup, have had serious discussions with free-agent infielder Jose Lopez, a major-league source told FOXSports.com.  —  Lopez has posted an OPS …

Former Yankees manager Lou Piniella set to return to Bombers as YES Network television analyst  —  Sources say Sweet Lou expected to also serve as spring training instructor  —  Former Yankees player and manager Lou Piniella is expected to rejoin the Bombers as a member of their YES Network broadcast team.

Nationals looking at Dobbs for bench role  —  WASHINGTON — In need of strengthening their bench, the Nationals have expressed interest in infielder Greg Dobbs, according to a baseball source.  —  The left-handed-hitting Dobbs, 33, is coming off one of his best seasons, hitting .275 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs for the Marlins.

Don Cooper rubbed Sox wrong way — Jake Peavy in particular  —  The relationship between Jake Peavy and pitching coach Don Cooper (above) disintegrated last season when the right-hander believed Cooper threw him under the bus in several interviews.  Nam Y. Huh~AP

Source: Twins to add Josh Willingham  —  Veteran outfielder Josh Willingham has reached agreement on a multiyear contract with the Minnesota Twins pending completion of a physical exam, according to a league source.  —  Willingham, 32, is a career .262 hitter with 132 home runs for the Marlins, Nationals and Athletics.