Reds To Sign Ryan Madson  —  WEDNESDAY: The Madson contract appears to be worth less than initially reported, as ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that it's a one-year, $8.5MM deal.  The deal includes incentives and an option, reports John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

NY Mets close to raising $100 million in minority shares of club; Miguel Batista and Fernando Cabrera agree to minor-league deals  —  Plan to put the $100 million toward their $350 million debt  —  Mr. Met approves as Daily News learns that Mets are close to finalizing sale of at least five $20 million shares in team.

Dodgers settle with Fox, ending battle over TV rights sale  —  The Dodgers and Fox Sports ended their legal hostilities Tuesday night, with the team agreeing to abandon its proposed sale of television rights and Fox agreeing to withdraw its objection to the settlement between Major League Baseball and outgoing owner Frank McCourt.

Integrity, character make future Hall votes easy  —  Steroid users have eliminated themselves from consideration  —  You heard of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  This is about how “Mr. Bonds Blew Cooperstown,” but before I get to that, I'm not saying the following proudly …

A Proposal To Break The Territorial-Rights Logjam Between The A's And The Giants  —  Since just before Christmas, there's been a flutter of rumors suggesting that MLB owners are close to making a decision on whether to permit the Oakland Athletics to move to a new, still-unbuilt ballpark in San Jose, about 40 miles to the south.

BASEBALL IQ  —  Baseball IQ, MLB Network's first-ever game show, premieres Tuesday, January 24 at 9:00 p.m. ET.  Hosted by MLB Network's Matt Vasgersian, Baseball IQ is a recall-based trivia show featuring two participants, 30 minutes and a chance to win up to $45,000 for charity.

Boras: Pena, Damon remain in play for Rays  —  1B Carlos Pena and DH Johnny Damon remain possibilities to fill the' Rays openings for two hitters, agent Scott Boras said Tuesday, but both have interest from other teams.  —  “I think the Rays need offense,” Boras said.  “And both players enjoyed playing there.”