Sources: Blue Jays showing interest in RHP James Shields  —  FOX Sports  —  The Blue Jays are said to be interested in former Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields.  —  As the price for James Shields drops, an increasing number of clubs are renewing their interest in him.

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 GM Amaro stands by harsh warning to Howard  —  EVERYONE on the planet - well, everyone on the planet who even casually follows major league baseball - is aware that the Phillies would like to trade Ryan Howard in an effort to expedite their rebuilding project.

Chacin, McKenry, Brothers agree to 1-year deals  —  6/17/14: Jhoulys Chacin tosses six quality innings, striking out five while allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks  —  DENVER — The Rockies avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, catcher Michael McKenry …

COULD SCHERZER GO TO HOMETOWN CARDINALS AND GET MARKET VALUE?  —  JP Morosi  —  I don't know if free-agent ace Max Scherzer will sign with the St. Louis Cardinals.  But the rationale for him to do so — on both sides — is becoming clearer by the day.  —  First, here's what multiple sources …

Heyward open to talks on contract, if Cards are  —  ST. LOUIS  • In his first full day surrounded by Cardinals Nation and wearing a Cardinals' shade of red, new Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward said he didn't have a preconceived deadline for discussions on a new contract.

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.

Crane Kenney: Wrigley bleachers won't be ready until May  —  Crane Kenney, president of business operations for the Cubs, said the target date for the opening of the left field bleachers is early May and late May for the right field bleachers.  —  Bleacher season ticket holders have three options …

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.

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