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.

A's Talking Gio Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey  —  3:02pm: Rival executives say the Nationals have the best chance at obtaining Gonzalez and some believe Danny Espinosa or Ian Desmond could be in play, according to Heyman.  —  2:44pm: The Red Sox are trying to get Gonzalez and Bailey in a “monster deal,” tweets Rosenthal.

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 …

Larkin, Morris May Get Their Calls  —  DENVER—Throughout his career, Jack Morris always was up for a battle, so why should things be any different now?  —  The most dominant pitcher of his era, Morris is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the 13th time.  It could well be his lucky number.

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.