Source: Diamondbacks, Kubel reach deal  —  The Diamondbacks, continuing their impressive off-season, have reached agreement with free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel on a two-year, $15 million contract, according to a major-league source.  —  The deal, which is pending a physical, also includes an option for 2014, the source said.

Yankees ‘not getting’ Japanese pitching star Yu Darvish  —  NEW YORK — If Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish indeed throws his first major league pitch next season, it will not be in a Yankees uniform.  —  The Yankees are “not getting him,” a person with knowledge of the situation said today …

Endy heading to Baltimore with one-year deal  —  Speedy free agent expected to be O's top reserve outfielder  —  BALTIMORE — The Orioles crossed an item off their offseason shopping list, bolstering their outfield depth by agreeing to terms with veteran Endy Chavez for one year, pending a physical.

Why the Angels should trade Abreu  —  Even before the Angels signed Albert Pujols, Bobby Abreu looked like their odd man out.  —  Now, with Kendrys Morales seemingly on the verge of a comeback, the Angels should consider trading Abreu rather than paying him $9 million to be a part-time DH.

Gio Gonzalez to Mets unlikely  —  Although the Mets recently discussed the possibility of acquiring Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez (as Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported Thursday), they are unlikely to pursue the pitcher, according to two major league officials familiar with the Mets' thinking.

BALCO founder Victor Conte: Ryan Braun is Dead in the Water  —  All eyes are still on Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun, who has tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.  Braun is appealing the test and we really haven't heard anything …

GMs eye trade route for starting pitching help  —  Gio, Jurrjens, Pineda among starters that could be on block  —  So you're a general manager, and you went into the offseason hoping to improve your rotation.  But C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish proved to be too pricey, and you're not thrilled with the remaining free agents.

Revamped AL teams major concern for Sox  —  With the likelihood the expanded playoff format won't go into effect until 2013, the Red Sox must be careful not to go a third year without a postseason berth.  —  Not only must they worry about the Yankees and Rays in their division, there are the rising Blue Jays as well.

The Cooperstown case for Jeff Bagwell  —  It's December, so for me that means its Hall of Fame month.  Early next month, Cooperstown announces the results of the annual BBWAA election.  With that in mind, last month I wrote a piece for THT, “The Cooperstown case for Tim Raines.”

Pence ready to go after offseason surgery  —  Phillies rightfielder Hunter Pence underwent sports-hernia surgery soon after the Phillies' elimination.  He did about 3 weeks of rehab in Philly and the rest in Houston, where he resides in the offseason, owns a baseball academy and continues to be involved in the community.

Crew reportedly wins negotiating rights for Aoki  —  The Brewers reportedly submitted a winning $2.5 million bid to negotiate with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion with the Yakult Swallows.  —  According to a tweet by Yasuko Yanagita of Hochi Shimbun …

Critics of Reds' deal should look again  —  I love how the Mat Latos trade was barely even official before certain experts started proclaiming that the Reds overpaid.  —  Guess what?  —  To land a potential No. 1 starter - one who is 24 years old, a year away from arbitration and four years away …