Greinke open to extension talks  —  Brewers ace Zack Greinke said he is still operating without an agent, but that does not necessarily scuttle the chances of a contract extension.  —  Greinke is entering his second season with the team and the final season of the four-year, $38 million extension he signed in January 2009.

Roy Oswalt must deliver right answers to join Rangers  —  The Texas Rangers have questions, and right-hander Roy Oswalt better have the right answers if he hopes to pitch for them this season.  —  But even if Oswalt aces the test, he still might not be a fit in the Rangers' rotation.

Wakefield plays the waiting game  —  Area knuckleballer still hopes to pitch in big leagues this season  —  Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox reacts after earning his 200th win after a game with Toronto in September.  Jim Rogash/GettY IMAGES / Getty Images

Cards seeking match for McClellan  —  The Cardinals are actively shopping versatile righthander Kyle McClellan in order to alleviate a numbers crunch within their bullpen and to restore payroll flexibility that could be committed to a free agent starting pitcher.

For what they're worth, the winter standings  —  The offseason is just about over, and today we take a look at where the 30 teams rank after their moves.  We know from last year - when the Red Sox acquired Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez - that “winning” December and January doesn't mean you win when it counts.

Sox pitchers will defend their hitters  —  Bench coach Parent: 'You hit our guy, we'll hit your guy'  —  Jake Peavy at Opening Day of SoxFest at the Palmer House.  (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / January 27, 2012)  —  While the White Sox hope Dayan Viciedo can provide protection …

Braden progresses to throwing from mound  —  OAKLAND — Leave it to A's lefty Dallas Braden to shake up the holiday calendar.  —  “Tomorrow's Christmas for me,” Braden said Sunday.  “Get to bed early, leave cookies and milk out on the table, see what happens.”

Minor League Transactions: Jan. 18-25  —  You know spring training is just around the corner when veteran pitchers begin settling for minor league deals with invites to big league camp.  A bevy of veteran starters came to terms recently, including Vicente Padilla (age 34), Kevin Millwood …

Weeks still not at 100 percent  —  By Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel  —  Underscoring how severe the sprained left ankle that Rickie Weeks suffered late last July, the Milwaukee Brewers' second baseman still isn't classifying himself as 100 percent recovered roughly three weeks before the start of spring training.

Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez, Rick Ankiel and Kosuke Fukudome on Mets' wish list  —  Amazin's in search of a lefty bat to come off the bench  —  Traded from the Cubs to the Indians in 2011, Kosuke Fukudome bats .249 with five homers and 22 RBI in 59 games with the Tribe.