Sources: Rockies dangling All-Star OF Blackmon in trade talks  —  FOX Sports  —  Blackmon set career highs in 2014 with 19 HR, 72 RBI and 28 SB while hitting .288.  —  The Colorado Rockies surrendered the most runs in Major League Baseball last year and began the offseason in a familiar position …

Phillies, Ryan Howard unlikely to part ways soon  —  Speaking 35 days from the first player workout in Clearwater, Fla., Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. deemed it “likely” Ryan Howard will still be with the team come spring training.  —  That despite previously stating he told Howard …

Yankees finalize one-year deal with Drew  —  MLB.com's Tim McMaster and Jeff Nelson break down the Yankees' signing of Stephen Drew and how he may benefit from a full Spring Training  —  NEW YORK — Counting on a rebound season, the Yankees have finalized a one-year contract with infielder Stephen Drew …

Minor League Transactions: Jan. 9-15  —  The White Sox and Yankees sign outfielders who last appeared in affiliated ball years ago—as righthanded pitchers.  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 9-15.  —  Atlanta Braves

GM points to the club's improved lineup, bullpen  —  Juff Luhnow joins Christopher Russo live on Ballpark Cam to discuss the acquisition of Evan Gattis and the 2015 roster  —  HOUSTON — Are the Astros poised to have their first winning season in nearly a decade?  General manager Jeff Luhnow thinks so.

Wainwright is making progress  —  When Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright picked up a baseball and played catch with it Friday for the first time since his elbow surgery, it wasn't just what he felt that brought comfort.  —  It's what he didn't hear.  —  “It didn't sound like I had a baseball card stuck …

Randy Johnson will enter Hall of Fame with Arizona Diamondbacks cap  —  Legendary pitcher Randy Johnson will enter the Hall of Fame as a representative of the Diamondbacks, a fact the team will leverage as part of its promotional schedule for the 2015 season.

Did the Toronto Blue Jays have a clubhouse problem?  Jose Bautista says no, but R.A. Dickey says a ‘shakeup’ was necessary  —  “I wouldn't say it's a real tight-knit group.  I think we need to bring in some fresh faces.”  - Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, radio interview, Sept. 29, 2014 (the day after the season finale)

Source: Alex Rodriguez believes he will win Yankees' third-base job … SEE ALSO  —  A-Rod's career home runs  —  INTERACTIVE  —  Alex Rodriguez's injury history  —  DATA  —  MLB drug suspensions database … Yankees  —  The many faces of Alex Rodriguez

JAMES SHIELDS TO THE TIGERS WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE  —  JP Morosi  —  James Shields' agent, Page Odle, has been in recent contact with the Detroit Tigers, according to a source, and it's easy to understand why both parties would benefit from that conversation.

Rangers' search for backup catcher points to Corporan, Soto  —  The Texas Rangers' pursuit of a catcher to back up Robinson Chirinos could take them to a familiar face or to a division rival.  —  The Rangers and the catcher-rich Houston Astros have discussed a trade for Carlos Corporan …

Rangers are still in pursuit of Philadelphia's Cole Hamels  —  Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels pitches to the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game in Miami, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014.  —  The Rangers continue to pursue the possibility of adding left-hander Cole Hamels from Philadelphia.