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

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.

Tigers' Victor Martinez likely out for season with torn ACL  —  Tiger Victor Martinez / JULIAN H. GONZALEZ / DFP  —  The Detroit Tigers today announced that designated hitter Victor Martinez tore the ACL in his left knee during off-season conditioning last week and likely will miss the 2012 season.

NY judge blocks immediate appeal by Madoff trustee  —  NEW YORK (AP)—A trustee trying to recover money for investors in Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme was blocked Tuesday from immediately appealing a ruling limiting how much the New York Mets' owners might have to give up to other investors.

Sean Forman to appear on Clubhouse Confidential, MLB Network  —  I'll be appearing on Clubhouse Confidential on the MLB Network.  We are taping this afternoon and I'm pretty sure it will be broadcast tonight.  The show typically airs 5:30pm and 7:30pm ET and then probably 8 more times after that.

Tim Lincecum asks $21.5M in arbitration  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants ace Tim Lincecum asked for $21.5 million in salary arbitration Tuesday and was offered $17 million by the club.  —  The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner's request neared the record amount sought in arbitration.

MVP Braun to accept award, then give speech  —  Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, who faces a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, is expected to speak at a banquet where he will accept his award for being voted National League MVP.

Rangers big week: 1 superstar or 2 coming?  —  The Texas Rangers, the two-time defending American League champions, are at the center of the action this week, with the Yu Darvish deadline looming Wednesday and the continuing Prince Fielder intrigue, which began to boil over when Fielder …

2012 Kansas City Royals Top 10 Prospects  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats …

Astros To Sign Jack Cust  —  The Astros have agreed to sign Jack Cust, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.  It's a one-year deal with a club option for 2013, Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle tweets.  TWC Sports represents the corner outfielder/DH.  —  Cust, 33, averaged 28 homers …

Angels agree to terms with SS Erick Abyar on 2012 deal  —  The Angels avoided arbitration with Erick Aybar on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with the shortstop on a $5.075-million deal for 2012, and they will continue their attempts to secure the slick-fielding switch-hitter to a long-term deal.

Braves ink Moylan to Minor League deal  —  ATLANTA — Peter Moylan will have a chance to prove he is healthy and regain his spot in the Braves bullpen.  —  Moylan has signed a Minor League contract with the Braves and accepted an invitation to compete for a job in Spring Training.

Brewers, K-Rod settle for $8 million  —  The Brewers and reliever Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract just ahead of Tuesday's deadline for arbitration-eligible players and their teams to exchange figures.  —  Rodriguez was the team's trickiest case because he was a free agent …