Diamondbacks Agree To Sign Yoan Lopez  —  Cuban righthander Yoan Lopez has agreed to sign with the Diamondbacks for $8.25 million.  —  Lopez is 21, so he is subject to the international bonus pools.  The Lopez signing puts the Diamondbacks well beyond their allotted pool space …

Prokhorov Exploring Sale of Brooklyn Nets Basketball Team  —  The Brooklyn Nets are for sale.  —  Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov retained Evercore Partners (EVR) to sell the National Basketball Association team he bought in 2010, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Source: Desmond, Nats haven't discussed contract  —  Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond wins his third career Silver Slugger Award  —  WASHINGTON — According to a baseball source, the Nationals haven't had any significant negotiations with shortstop Ian Desmond and his representative regarding a contract extension.

Red Sox create new behavioral health department  —  The annual announcement of Red Sox front office personnel changes typically features an array of title changes and newly hired evaluators who put in critical but unseen work, and this year's will be little different — except, perhaps, on one count.

Ace Hamels still on Padres' radar; Wil Myers not involved in talks  —  Fresh off a trio of bold impact moves to rework their entire outfield and the middle of their lineup, the aggressive Padres are still said to be alive for another potential blockbuster, this one involving Philly's ace …

Pirates' voluntary minicamp opens up without Pedro Alvarez  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Pedro Alvarez was not at Pirate City on Monday morning for the start of four days of voluntary workout sessions.  —  That's not unusual, as players who are on the 40-man roster are not required to attend the minicamp and most veterans opt out.

CHANGES COMING TO MLBPA AGENT CERTIFICATION … It's soon going to be harder to be an agent certified by the Major League Baseball Player's Association.  The process is about to change, and though it's been due for an update for a while, the new rules are not without questions.  Will they change anything?

Daniel Nava contemplating switch from switch-hitting  —  It's a conversation that usually makes switch-hitters cringe.  —  Why don't some of these guys just give up the practice of hitting from both sides, and focus on the skill-set they excel at?  —  Initially, former Red Sox outfielder Bobby Kielty …

Wandy Rodriguez To Sign With Braves After Failing Physical With Phillies  —  Veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez has failed his physical with the Phillies and instead agreed to a minor league deal with the Braves.  Hector Gomez of Listin Diario first tweeted that a deal with Atlanta was close …

Steelers poised to name Keith Butler new defensive coordinator  —  The Steelers are close to naming linebackers coach Keith Butler to replace Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator, a move that could be announced Tuesday.  —  Butler met Monday with Coach Mike Tomlin at the team's South Side facility …

Royals, Ned Yost agree to one-year contract extension: 'That's all I wanted,' he says  —  After leading the Royals to their first postseason in 29 years, manager Ned Yost agreed to a one-year extension, the club announced Tuesday.  —  And that's fine by Yost, who told The Star that he only sought …

DIAMONDBACKS IN THE MARKET FOR CATCHER, STARTING PITCHERS  —  JP Morosi  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are poised to make at least one trade in the five weeks before spring training begins.  —  The reason: They have a clear surplus at one position (outfield bats) and obvious needs at two others (starting rotation and catcher).