Pirates, starter Maholm talk; return is unlikely  —  The Pirates and free-agent pitcher Paul Maholm have had discussions, but a team source confirmed Tuesday that his return to Pittsburgh is highly unlikely.  —  Management continues to seek to add to its rotation, but any additions probably …

Sources: Ramirez prefers to stay at SS  —  All is still not settled between Hanley Ramirez and the Miami Marlins  —  Ramirez seemed to indicate that he was willing to move from shortstop to third base in an interview with the Associated Press last Friday in the Dominican Republic.

LaRoche uncertain about future in Washington  —  Fielder rumors raise possibility veteran might not return to Nats  —  WASHINGTON — The rumor mill is heating up, and first baseman Adam LaRoche has heard the reports of the Nationals being in the running for free agent Prince Fielder.

Torre resigns, to explore bid to buy Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Former manager Joe Torre resigned his position as an executive with Major League Baseball on Wednesday to pursue a purchase of the Dodgers.  —  With Torre's departure, the baseball operations functions of the Commissioner's Office …

Astros go data-heavy with addition of director of decision sciences  —  The Astros boosted their commitment to a data-driven existence under new general manager Jeff Luhnow and CEO George Postolos with the hiring of Sig Mejdal as the club's director of decision sciences.  —  In plain English?

SportsWire Twins Mackey: Twins narrowing down search for free-agent bullpen options  —  With the team payroll sitting right around $97 million, the Minnesota Twins still have some breathing room underneath their self-imposed $100 million comfort zone.  —  The team hopes to use that remaining money …

Aubrey Huff tells me his body is “ripped” and that Pilates will be a key to his 2012 revival  —  I just got off the phone with Aubrey Huff, the first newspaper interview he has given since his awful 2011 season ended and the Giants called him out for poor conditioning.

Cordero could find himself back with Reds  —  Righty may be team's best fit in shrinking market for closers  —  CINCINNATI — Hey, what happened to all of those available closers?  —  What was once a lengthy list has essentially dwindled down to two free agents in Ryan Madson and Francisco Cordero.

Dodgers bid deadline delayed to Jan. 23  —  The Dodgers have extended the deadline by which prospective buyers must submit their opening bids for the team.  —  Bids now are due Jan. 23.  The deadline was delayed 10 days to accommodate the “substantial interest of potential bidders,” Dodgers spokesman Robert Siegfried said.

Mariners Very Close To Deal With Hisashi Iwakuma  —  WEDNESDAY, 9:49am: The Mariners are very close to a deal with Iwakuma, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.  —  TUESDAY, 5:06pm: The Mariners are the leading suitor for Japanese right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, according to a Sponichi report passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.

Source: Coco Crisp to sign with Oakland  —  Free agent outfielder Coco Crisp has agreed to a new two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics, a league source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  Crisp  —  The veteran center fielder will earn $6 million in 2012 and $7 million in 2013 …