Source: Cubs, Reds agree on trade  —  The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a trade in principle that will send pitcher Travis Wood and two minor-leaguers to the Cubs for left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, according to a source familiar with the situation.

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 …

Danks, White Sox reportedly agree to $65 million deal  —  Despite persistent trade rumors, it appears that John Danks will be staying with the White Sox after agreeing to a five-year, $65 million contract, according to multiple reports.  —  Danks, who made $6 million last season …

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.

Catching up with Cardinals abroad  —  TOWER GROVE  • A day before the St. Louis Cardinals added the outfielder who could be his chief rival for a spot on the major-league roster, Adron Chambers doubled, tripled and finished 2-for-3 with a walk in his winter effort to get a head start on spring training.

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.

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 …

Twins close to a deal with Jason Marquis  —  The Twins are close to signing RHP Jason Marquis, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  —  Last month, Ken Davidoff of Newsday said the Mets were interested in acquiring Marquis to replace Chris Capuano and in August, Marquis told Andy Martino …

Source: Buckner will coach Cubs' Boise team  —  Ending speculation that he could be hired to join the Red Sox coaching staff, former Boston first baseman Bill Buckner will join the Chicago Cubs' Class A affiliate Boise Hawks as their hitting coach, a source ESPN's Jeremy Schaap.

A Real Fan Will Always Believe in the Cubs: A Fan's Perspective  —  I first became a fan of the Chicago Cubs back in the 1980s as a young teenager.  I had always loved playing softball and, because I lived just outside of Chicago, I had followed the Cubs games when I had the chance.

Baseball America ranks Middlebrooks first  —  Baseball America is the industry standard when it comes to ranking prospects.  Here is their top 10 for the Red Sox:  —  1. 3B Will Middlebrooks  —  2. SS Xander Bogaerts  —  3. C Blake Swihart  —  4. RHP Anthony Ranaudo  —  5. OF Bryce Brentz

Phils give Minors deals to Luna, Montanez  —  The Phillies were involved with three transactions on Wednesday, including the signing of two players to Minor League contracts.  —  Philadelphia added infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Luis Montanez, and invited both to big league camp at Spring Training as non-roster players.