Madson's Reds contract awaiting physical  —  CINCINNATI — A formalized contract between the Reds and prospective new closer Ryan Madson might take several days to complete.  —  A source told MLB.com on Wednesday that Madson will get a one-year guaranteed contract that pays him $6 million …

Nationals unlikely to sign Prince at current price  —  WASHINGTON — There is a “99 percent” chance that the Nationals will not sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, according to a baseball source.  —  The news comes a few weeks after ownership met with Fielder and his agent, Scott Boras, in the nation's capital.

2012 Hall of Fame Vote: BBWAA Should End Secret Ballots  —  There are no special qualifications voters in democratic societies need to go to the polls except for citizenship, and all a fan needs to cast his or her vote for the All-Star Game is internet access or a ticket to the ballpark.

Luke Scott agrees to one-year deal with Tampa Bay Rays  —  Luke Scott, the outspoken, energetic slugger who spent four seasons in Baltimore and was named the 2010 Most Valuable Oriole, has agreed to a one-year deal with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays that includes a 2013 option, according to an industry source.

Angels, Morales agree to one-year contract  —  Slugger who missed past 1 1/2 seasons avoids arbitration  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels avoided arbitration with first baseman Kendrys Morales by agreeing on a one-year contract Wednesday.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed …

Mets receive good news on Ike Davis  —  PHOENIX — Finally, some good news for Mets fans: Ike Davis said Tuesday he is “good to go” for spring training after more than two months of hard rehab on the freakish left ankle injury that cost him most of the 2011 season.

Judge OKs settlement between Dodgers, Fox Sports  —  WILMINGTON, Del. (AP)—A bankruptcy judge in Delaware on Wednesday approved a settlement between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Fox Sports that clears the way for the sale of the team.  —  The settlement, reached late Tuesday and quickly approved …

Giants Agree To Two-Year Deal With Vogelsong  —  The Giants and Ryan Vogelsong have agreed to a two-year contract with an option for 2014, reports Mychael Urban of 95.7 FM The Game (via Twitter).  The deal is worth a total of $8MM, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.

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.

Braun, Yount headline Brewers ‘On Deck’ slate  —  Over 45 players, coaches and alumni to attend Jan. 29 event  —  MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun, Robin Yount and more than forty other current and former Brewers players, coaches and prospects have committed to attend the team's “On Deck” event in downtown Milwaukee later this month.

Epstein: Wood talks continue, Garza trade talk overblown  —  Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epsten said Wednesday that talks with Kerry Wood are continuing, and speculation over a Matt Garza deal has been overblown by the media.  —  Wood is expected to return to the Cubs …