Sources: Reds eyeing Cubs lefty Marshall  —  The Reds and Cubs are in the advanced stages of trade discussions that would send left-handed reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati, according to major league sources.  —  The Cubs are targeting left-hander Travis Wood, a pitcher …

Andruw Jones, who spent last season with Yankees, may be right for Boston Red Sox  —  Bombers could lose slugger to rival  —  Yankees might find Andruw Jones is better suited for offer from Red Sox.  —  For weeks, it has appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Andruw Jones would return …

To Attract Potential Investors, Mets Add Perks to the Deal  —  It is, understandably, not the easiest sell: $20 million to own a small, noncontrolling interest in a baseball team renowned of late for losing — on the field and at the gate.  —  Of course, the owners of the Mets …

Quick Q&A: w/ Kevin Goldstein about cutting GCL Mets  —  The Mets announced Tuesday that they are eliminating their rookie league team in the Class-A Gulf Coast League, though they will continue to operate Kingsport.  —  Kevin Goldstein writes about every team's farm system for Baseball Prospectus, ESPN and Sirius/XM Radio.

Bill Conlin sex abuse allegations bring shock and outrage, and cold statement from BBWAA  —  Baseball Writer's Association of America misses mark on statement  —  Portrait of Bill Conlin from Philly.com  —  Hours after the Philadelphia Inquirer posted a report alleging that Hall …

Beltran expected to chose team soon  —  Image  —  The Cardinals remain in the mix for one of the top free agents still on the market even as they explore alternate ways to address an opening in the outfield.  —  All-Star Carlos Beltran is expected to select his next team this week, a source familiar with his plans said.

Ronald Belisario suspended for 25 games [UPDATED]  —  Reliever Ronald Belisario has received a visa valid for the next five years and is expected to be in Arizona for the start of spring training, but he won't be on the Dodgers' opening-day roster.  —  Belisario must serve a 25-game suspension …

Hit-and-Run Success is No Accident  —  “In this game you never know enough.”  —Dale Mitchell  —  The hit-and-run play is not highly regarded by the analytical crowd.  It is considered a one-run play and, like the sacrifice bunt attempt, it garners derision from people who hate small-ball tactics.

Road-tripping Fielder has market to himself  —  Scott Boras and Prince Fielder are kickin' it old school, as the, well, middle-aged people say.  —  For the past eight days they've been on the road, touring major league towns as Fielder's free agency nears its happy place, like an old-fashioned recruiting trip.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … If there were any remaining doubters regarding the Rays' way of doing business, the 2011 season should leave nothing more than the sound of chirping crickets.  Despite having to build an entire bullpen and fill several other holes …

Thoughts from the Orioles beat (Fielder, Jackson, Oswalt, Chen, Jones)  —  With news that the Texas Rangers won the posting rights to Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, speculation has arisen that the Rangers may not be able to afford free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.