If Texas signs Darvish, adding Fielder unlikely  —  Rangers fully expect to ink Japanese hurler before deadline  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers expect to sign Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish before Wednesday's 4 p.m. CT deadline.  —  Club sources said Texas doesn't have a deal done yet, and it could go down to the last day.

An interview with Robert Creamer  —  He was born when Babe Ruth was in just his third season as a Yankee slugger.  He went to his first baseball game when John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson were still managing.  His tenure at Sports Illustrated began months before the first issue of the magazine printed in 1954.

Source: Red Sox would have to move payroll in order to sign Roy Oswalt  —  Despite a FoxSports.com report that the Red Sox have “maintained active dialogue” with Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, the likelihood of the team signing the 34-year-old remains in doubt.

Craig Counsell, the 1997 Marlins World Series hero, calls it a career  —  Congratulations to Craig Counsell, who is retiring today to take a job in the Milwaukee Brewers front office.  —  Counsell played all or part of 16 seasons, with just three of those in Florida.

Josh Lewin leading candidate to replace Wayne Hagin  —  According to Newsday's Neil Best, “Josh Lewin has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Wayne Hagin alongside Howie Rose in the Mets' radio booth.”  —  Last month, Mike Puma of the New York Post said WFAN recently auditioned Jim Duquette …

Rockies trade Smith to Oakland for two pitchers; offer deal to Jamie Moyer  —  Seth Smith spent the winter in wonderland.  On Monday, the questions and uncertainty ended.  —  With the outfielder viewed as a luxury item after the signing of free agent Michael Cuddyer, Smith was traded …

White Sox Still Listening On Gavin Floyd  —  We haven't heard a ton about righty Gavin Floyd lately, but the White Sox are still listening on the soon-to-be 29-year-old, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  White Sox GM Kenny Williams has traded Carlos Quentin, Sergio Santos …

Cubs' apparent budgetary constraints stress need to find Next Big Thing  —  It seemed everyone at the Cubs Convention during the weekend wanted a bit of Theo Epstein's time.  Scott Stewart~Sun-Times  —  For all the new faces, packed ballrooms, countless autographs and hours of banter between fans …

Howell deal set for $1.35M, 4 still arbitration eligible  —  LHP J.P. Howell and the Rays [are finalizing] have completed a one-year deal for $1.35-million to avoid arbitration.  —  Howell also gets incentive bonuses for 45 and 60 innings pitched, which can push the total value to $1.4-million.

Mets' rebuilding efforts are upside-down  —  Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason of every MLB team before spring training begins in mid-February.  Our series continues with the New York Mets.  —  2011 record: 77-85  —  Finish: Fourth place, NL East  —  2011 final payroll: $142.2 million

Report: Angel Pagan, Giants agree  —  SAN FRANCSICO — The San Francisco Giants and outfielder Angel Pagan agreed to a $4.85 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said.  —  The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the club hadn't formally announced the deal.

Angels, Callaspo agree on one-year deal  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels agreed to a one-year contract with infielder Alberto Callaspo on Monday, thereby avoiding arbitration.  —  The deal is worth $3.15 million, according to a source, which is slightly higher than the reported figure Kendrys Morales agreed to …

Reds To Sign Ryan Ludwick  —  The Reds have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2013, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.  Ludwick gets a $2.5MM guarantee and could earn another $500K in incentives, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 right-handed pitchers  —  Pair of Pirates, D-backs among game's up-and-coming aces … On the 2011 list of Top 10 right-handed pitchers, there was the American League Rookie of the Year and the hurler who finished fifth in that voting.  Seven of the 10 pitched in the big leagues.