Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe) … At first glance, the Mariners' 2011 season wasn't much better than the year before, which was arguably the worst in franchise history.  They finished 67-95, the third-worst record in baseball, had a 17-game losing streak and wound …

Healthy Youkilis talks Bobby V, ‘witch hunt’  —  BOSTON — Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis stayed out of the public eye this offseason, but he emerged Thursday night to host his annual charity event to benefit “Youk's Kids” and he definitely made up for lost time.

Rays put finishing touches on Keppinger deal  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Tampa Bay finalized a one-year deal on Friday to bring veteran infielder Jeff Keppinger into the fold.  —  Keppinger, who will turn 32 in April, was drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft …

Phillies ink Pierre to Minor League deal  —  In a small but potentially significant move, the Phillies signed speedy Juan Pierre to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Friday.  —  Pierre, 34, batted .279 as the everyday leadoff hitter and left fielder for the White Sox last season.

Frank White joins T-Bones, shuts door on Royals  —  The divorce is final now.  No reconciliation is coming, and no happy ending.  Just more of a bitter war between the Royals and a hometown man whose statue stands in front of the stadium he literally helped build with a construction job one summer.

Pence agrees to one-year deal with Phillies  —  Slugger was Philly's lone remaining arbitration-eligible player  —  The Phillies on Friday announced that they've agreed to terms with outfielder Hunter Pence, avoiding arbitration with their lone remaining player.

Yankees interested in Ibanez  —  The Yankees have their pitching pieces in place, now it's time to come up with one more left-handed bat.  —  The Yankees officially announced yesterday the signing of free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal worth $10 million with another million in incentives.

Tests on Dustin Richardson Found 5 Banned Substances  —  Dustin Richardson, a former Boston Red Sox reliever, was suspended this week for 50 games after a random drug test came up positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Twins to retire Tom Kelly's No. 10  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  —  The Minnesota Twins will retire former manager Tom Kelly's uniform number.  —  President Dave St. Peter revealed the decision late Thursday at an annual awards banquet at Target Field, where the 61-year-old Kelly became emotional after the announcement.

Outfield assist of another kind  —  In a sense, there has been an air of spring training atmosphere around September baseball in Oakland for a while now.  Only without the hope part.  —  The weather is great.  The games don't really decide anything.  And not too many watch them to start with.

Mets sign 3B Matt Tuiasosopo to minors deal  —  The Mets announced they have signed 3B Matt Tuiasosopo to minor league contract.  —  Matt Eddy of Baseball America was the first to report the signing.  —  Tuiasosopo, a former top prospect, had spent his entire career in the Mariners organization before he was released last September.

What's next for Tigers?  Maybe Cespedes  —  The Prince Fielder signing should push the Tigers' 2012 payroll up over $130 million.  —  Is there any money left?  —  Could be, but the Tigers are unlikely to spend it on a full-time designated hitter, or on a fifth-starter candidate who would require a guaranteed major-league contract.