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 …

CHECKING IN ON THE CLOSER MARKET  —  JP Morosi  —  The recent trade of Tyler Clippard to Oakland eliminated one name from the marketplace for setup men and closers, but a number of notable relievers are available at this late stage of the offseason.  —  The closer market, in particular …

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.

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 …

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.

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