Rangers, Yu Darvish reach deal … ARLINGTON, Texas — Japanese ace Yu Darvish will be pitching in a Texas Rangers uniform in 2012, agreeing to a six-year deal worth approximately $60 million on Wednesday.  —  Darvish agreed to the deal, which includes a player option for the sixth year, just before Wednesday's 5 p.m. ET deadline.

Cubs, Red Sox want Bud Selig to set compensation for Theo Epstein  —  Theo Epstein, with manager Dale Sveum, has been unable to settle compensation with former Red Sox colleague Ben Cherington.  The Red Sox have held the upper hand in negotiations.  Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Gerardo Concepcion nears free agency  —  Cuban left-handed pitcher Gerardo Concepcion is closer to being declared an MLB free agent after establishing residence in Mexico on Tuesday, his agent said.  —  The agent, Jaime Torres, said that Concepcion is now a resident of Mexico and is currently training in the Dominican Republic.

Veteran Perez inks Minors deal with Mariners  —  SEATTLE — Nine-year Major League veteran pitcher Oliver Perez has signed a Minor League deal with the Mariners and will be a non-roster invitee to big league Spring Training, the club announced Wednesday.  —  Perez, 30, was a 15-game winner …

Orlando Cabrera To Retire  —  Longtime MLB shortstop Orlando Cabrera said on a Colombian radio station that he will retire from baseball, reports ElHeraldo.co. Cabrera spent 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, winning two Gold Gloves and collecting 2,055 hits along the way.

The Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Tebow and Jesus Christ  —  There is no mistaking the precocious maturity of Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw.  Whether in his calm focus on the mound or in the clubhouse, he is beyond his 23 years.  He appears remarkably centered and at peace with himself …

Tim Lincecum seeking record $21.5 million; Giants, Pablo Sandoval agree on 3-year deal  —  The Giants and Tim Lincecum might have grabbed baseball industry headlines Tuesday when they exchanged record-setting figures in arbitration, but the club made its most declarative investment of the day in All-Star third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

Rockies To Sign Jamie Moyer  —  The Rockies have agreed to sign 49-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal, the team announced.  Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported Monday that the Rockies had offered the veteran a contract.  The Rockies will give Moyer the chance to compete …

Rangers remain interested in Prince Fielder, but only in “creative” deal  —  Having come far enough that they took a meeting with agent Scott Boras last week, the Rangers are still willing to listen on Prince Fielder, too.  —  But the bulk of the work will have to be done by the agent and Fielder.

Agent expects ‘elite’ contract for Hamels  —  One contract watch is over for Cole Hamels and another is just beginning.  —  Hamels and the Phillies avoided an arbitration hearing when they agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract on Tuesday (see blog).  —  The Phillies already had control of Hamels' rights for 2012.