Cardinals Agree To Two-Year Deal With Carlos Beltran  —  The Cardinals have addressed the Albert Pujols-sized void in their lineup by agreeing to terms with free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran.  The contract is a two-year, $26MM deal that includes a full no-trade clause and will be finalized once Beltran passes a physical.

Beltran reaches two-year deal with Cards  —  ST. LOUIS — A familiar face on the other side of the diamond, Carlos Beltran is finally going to be on the Cardinals' side.  —  The six-time All-Star, coming off an impressive rebound season, agreed to terms on a two-year contract with St. Louis on Thursday evening, pending a physical.

Would Rays and Beltran be a good match?  —  UPDATE, 3:04: The Rays reportedly are out of the running for Beltran, as both Scott Miller of CBS Sports and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports just reported that the field has been narrowed to the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Indians.

Nationals To Acquire Gio Gonzalez  —  The Athletics will trade Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals in a deal that further depletes Oakland's pitching staff and adds to Washington's potentially dominant rotation.  The deal sends Gonzalez and minor league right-hander Robert Gilliam to Washington …

Source: Nationals get Gio Gonzalez  —  Oakland Athletics left-hander Gio Gonzalez, highly coveted by a number of teams, was dealt to the Washington Nationals Thursday for four prospects, a team source told ESPN Insider Keith Law.  —  The Athletics will receive right-hander Brad Peacock …

Red Sox hit with $3.4 million luxury tax  —  The Red Sox have to pay $3.4 million in luxury tax to Major League Baseball, up from $1.5 million last season.  The Associated Press obtained the figures.  —  The only other team over the limit were the Yankees, who were hit with a $13.9 million bill.