Cubs Acquire Anthony Rizzo  —  The Cubs have acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-hander Zach Cates from the Padres for right-hander Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na, the teams announced.  The move provides the Cubs with a potential long-term first baseman and makes room for another first baseman in San Diego.

Sources: Cubs' Starlin Castro Accused Of Sexual Assault  —  CHICAGO (CBS) — WBBM Newsradio has learned that Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman after a night of drinking last fall.  —  As WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports exclusively …

Cespedes still on Marlins' radar  —  MIAMI — Sometime in the next 10 days, Cuban sensation Yeonis Cespedes is expected to become a free agent.  When that day comes, the Marlins will be in the mix for the 26-year-old outfielder.  —  An industry source said Jan. 15 is a tentative day that Cespedes …

Financial Firm Hired, but Mets Insist It's Not About Bankruptcy  —  CRG Partners lists as its special talents financial advisory work, restructuring and reorganization, and turnaround management — polite descriptions of services needed by companies in distress.

Angels Sign Jorge Cantu To Minor League Deal  —  The Angels have signed Jorge Cantu to a minor league contract, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link).  Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today that the two sides were close to an agreement.

Tigers' Rick Porcello opts out of contract, becomes eligible for arbitration  —  DETROIT — Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello is in line to receive quite a hefty holiday bonus in the upcoming weeks.  —  Porcello, as expected, exceeded the service time needed to qualify for Super Two status this year …

Moving Garza makes sense for Cubs  —  The Cubs' position on right-hander Matt Garza is the same as the White Sox's position was on lefty John Danks. … Well, OK.  But if the Cubs are going to trade Garza, the time to do it is now — before he risks injury, and before the trade rumors he surely will hear in 2012 drive him nuts.

Sources: Groups get tour of Dodgers  —  The New York investment group handling the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers has begun scheduling tours of Dodger Stadium with prospective ownership groups, multiple sources close to the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Source: Orioles talked to Cubs about Soriano  —  Another day passed without any news from the warehouse, leaving me with little to do besides count the number of calls and text messages that went unreturned and sweeping up about 12 pounds of pine needles that fell off my Christmas tree as I carried it outside.

Howard cleared by doctor to begin exercises  —  Phils slugger likely to start baseball activities in six weeks  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. sounded relatively chipper early Thursday evening.  —  He had reason to be.  Amaro said he received encouraging news …