Blue Jays brass talks playoffs  —  TORONTO— From Tuesday's Globe and Mail  —  You think Paul Beeston was dreaming when he talked Monday about getting grass to grow at a baseball-specific Rogers Centre?  —  That's nothing.  It turns out he envisions the Toronto Blue Jays in the playoffs two or three times in the next five years.

Pirates catching prospect Sanchez injured in offseason scuffle  —  Tony Sanchez, the Pirates' top catcher prospect, again got into hot water with the team when he sustained a broken jaw in a bar brawl earlier this offseason.  —  Sources told the Tribune-Review the fight happened …

Giants ready for huge crowds at FanFest  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Like an accomplished hitter, the Giants will strive to use the whole field to facilitate crowd control at Saturday's FanFest.  —  Last year's event frustrated thousands of fans who spent their day at AT&T Park waiting in lines to see the then-reigning World Series champions.

Crane tells fans: Astros name remains the same  —  HOUSTON — The Astros recently changed owners, will switch to the American League in 2013 and could have new uniforms then as well.  —  One thing that won't change is the team's name.  —  In an email sent to season-ticket holders on Monday …

Tribe acquires Canzler from Tampa Bay  —  Youngster offers right-handed bat, alternative at first base  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians have added an intriguing bat to the Spring Training mix.  —  On Tuesday, Cleveland acquired first baseman Russ Canzler from Tampa Bay in exchange for cash considerations.

Source: Mets to sell 10 shares of team  —  The Mets expect to sell 10 minority shares of the team by the end of February, a person familiar with the process said Monday.  The units, priced at $20 million each, would raise $200 million for the cash-strapped franchise and be used to pay existing loans and operating expenses for 2012.

The Knuckleball Mystique: Using PITCHf/x to Distinguish Perception from Reality  —  Believe it or not, most of our writers didn't enter the world sporting an @baseballprospectus.com address; with a few exceptions, they started out somewhere else.  In an effort to up your reading pleasure …

Yankees considering bringing in Bill Hall as super utility man, righthanded bat off bench  —  Bombers eye ex-Astro, Giant as infielder  —  Bill Hall (l.) could slide into a Yankee uniform this offseason.  —  The Yankees have engaged in discussions with free agent Bill Hall about a possible utility role …

Brewers Sign Corey Patterson  —  The Brewers signed outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets.  Patterson, a client of Jim Bronner and Bob Gilhooley, doesn't have an invitation to Major League Spring Training at the moment.

Pat Burrell Retires  —  Pat Burrell is retiring, MLBTR has learned.  We last heard from Pat the Bat in November, when the 35-year-old told the AP, “I have not decided yet, but I don't think I can play anymore [due to a chronic foot injury].  It hurts me to say that.”

Past and present meet at Fenway benefit  —  Valentine, Cherington and Epstein appear at Hot Stove Cool Music  —  BOSTON — Whether Mike Aviles, Nick Punto or an unexpected name ends up as the Red Sox's starting shortstop in 2011, new manager Bobby Valentine indicated Monday he does not love the idea of a timeshare.