Orioles set to trade Guthrie to Rockies  —  Team would receive right-handers Hammel, Lindstrom in return for top starter  —  The Orioles are near an agreement on a trade that would send the club's most accomplished starter, right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, to the Colorado Rockies for two players …

Cardinals sign veteran infielder Alex Cora  —  ST. LOUIS  • The Cardinals and utility fielder Alex Cora have agreed on a minor-league deal that will allow the veteran to serve as both competition and mentor for the club's group of less-experienced infielders.

A Note On Access And The Mets  —  I thought I ought to pass along this bit of news, so all of you have a sense of what the blog will and won't be this coming year, and why that is.  —  Since taking over the LoHud Mets Blog in March 2011, I have been credentialed numerous times …

10 things I didn't know about one-hitters  —  My last column here at THT was on the men least likely to break up a full-length (nine innings pitched or more) no-hitter by getting their team's sole hit of the day.  In all, I looked up nearly 1,000 games from 1919 onward to produce that list.

Source: Hong-Chih Kuo joins Mariners  —  The Seattle Mariners have signed former Dodgers left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo to a one-year deal.  —  Kuo signed a major league contract and will be added to the Mariners' 40-man roster.  —  A source told ESPN.com that Kuo has passed his physical …

Source: Yanks look at adding bat  —  The New York Yankees are considering adding a left-handed bat, and one of the three most prominent remaining free agents — Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui — could be on the team within a week, according to a major league source.

Ankiel returns on minor-league deal  —  Rick Ankiel will return to the Nationals on a minor-league contract.  —  Still in search of a center fielder in the short term and a left-handed bat for their bench over the full season, the Nationals have re-signed Rick Ankiel to a minor-league contract …

Toughest call of his career is on Varitek's plate  —  Jason Varitek is trying to make a very tough decision.  —  “He's deliberating what he wants to do,” said his agent, Scott Boras.  —  And that deliberation has to include the very difficult reality of possible retirement.

Cubs Designate Blake DeWitt For Assignment  —  The Cubs announced that they designated infielder Blake DeWitt for assignment.  The move creates 40-man roster space for Adrian Cardenas, who the Cubs claimed from Oakland today.  —  DeWitt, 26, posted a .265/.305/.413 line in 243 plate appearances in 2011 …

Rangers add Beimel, Jackson to NRIs  —  Lefty an option for bullpen; OF/1B brings right-handed bat  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers have signed left-handed pitcher Joe Beimel and outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson to Minor League contracts with an invitation to Spring Training.

Astros Sign Justin Ruggiano  —  The Astros signed free agent outfielder Justin Ruggiano to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced.  Ruggiano elected free agency one week ago today, after the Rays designated him for assignment.

Rays managing ballpark situation well  —  It's impossible not to admire how the Tampa Bay Rays are handling their stadium situation.  —  They've said almost nothing publicly, taking the high road and letting the politicians do the talking.  Instead, they're working behind the scenes …