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.

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)

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.

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.

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

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 …

All three sign one-year deals for 2015  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has avoided arbitration with left-handed pitcher Rex Brothers, right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin and catcher Michael McKenry by agreeing to one-year contracts for the 2015 season.

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 …

Giants, Nori Aoki Agree To One-Year Deal  —  11:30am: Shea tweets that Aoki's option is valued at $5.5MM, adding that he can earn up to $1.5MM worth of incentives in each year of the deal.  —  11:06am: The Giants and outfielder Nori Aoki have agreed to a one-year contract with an option for the 2016 season …

Mets minor league P gets 50-game suspension  —  NEW YORK — A minor league pitcher for the New York Mets has been suspended 50 games after a second positive drug test.  —  The commissioner's office penalized 23-year-old Brandon Welch on Friday for taking a drug of abuse.

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.

Sabres' Nolan frustrated that players aren't listening  —  Ted Nolan is a positive thinker, an optimist.  But even he looks worn down and defeated by the Sabres' nine-game losing streak.  —  “It's extremely hard,” the coach said Friday.  “It's extremely hard when you ask somebody to do something and they don't do it.

Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Wieters, Davis, Tillman, Matusz  —  The Orioles have avoided arbitration by agreeing on one year deals with three players, according to reports.  Catcher Matt Wieters, corner infielder/outfielder Chris Davis, righty Chris Tillman, and lefty Brian Matusz all have reached terms for 2015.

Monfort tells NY paper Tulo deal ‘not happening’  —  MLB.com's Richard Justice and Bryan Hoch discuss the latest rumors regarding Troy Tulowitzki and which teams could be interested in a trade  —  DENVER — The notion of the Rockies trading shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Mets …

Schlesinger happy with bump after disappointing finish to 2014 season  —  COO Rick Schlesinger said the Brewers are ahead by 20 percent in season-ticket sales compared to ‘14.  —  MILWAUKEE — Despite the Brewers’ finish last season and few offseason transactions, chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger …