Nationals still pursuing Prince Fielder, met today with agent Scott Boras  —  Despite a report on the team's official Web site today playing down the Nationals' chances at signing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder, a person familiar with the situation said the Nationals are …

Vogelsong, Giants agree to 2-year, $8.3M deal  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Vogelsong and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a two-year contract worth approximately $8.3 million after he became one of the team's most reliable starters and an unlikely All-Star last season.

West teams young and powerful on mound  —  Stockpiles of pitching exist from top to bottom in both divisions  —  If the most sincere form of flattery is immitation, franchises out West are falling all over themselves in praise of San Francisco's Giants.  —  All across the nine-team landscape …

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 …

Manny Ramirez: I'll be a role model … Early last season, Manny Ramirez abruptly retired from baseball after a second violation of baseball's performance-enhancing drug rules, choosing to walk away from the game rather than serve a 100-game suspension.  —  Now, Ramirez wants to land a tryout …

Maddon contract talks progressing  —  There has been progress in the talks between the Rays and manager Joe Maddon on a contract extension.  —  Maddon's current contract expires as the end of this coming season.  Both sides have expressed strong public interest in continuing the successful relationship.

Selig's contract extension approved by owners  —  PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — A two-year contract extension for Commissioner Bud Selig was approved on Wednesday by Major League Baseball's executive council, setting up Thursday's confirmation vote by the full ownership.

Bobby Valentine, Carl Crawford to restore order  —  Eventually, Red Sox [team stats] manager Bobby Valentine and Carl Crawford will talk, at which time they will leave behind the comments Valentine made as an ESPN analyst that insulted the left fielder and move on to more timely matters.

Leukemia Free  —  As far as I know, this news doesn't affect the Mariners chances of signing Prince Fielder, so I apologize in advance for the lack of update on that front.  —  I do, however, have some news to share.  I underwent a bone marrow biopsy yesterday morning - my third one, in fact.

Johnny Damon: “It's an unhappy day”  —  Johnny Damon greatly enjoyed his experience playing for the Rays last season and was very much hoping to come back.  —  But when the Rays struck a deal Wednesday to bring in Luke Scott as their primary DH, it meant Damon wasn't going to get to return, and that didn't go over well.