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, 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 …

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 …

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.

Rays say moves try to balance future, present  —  Matt Silverman did not simply wake up one morning after sliding into his new role as president of Rays baseball operations and decide to ship out nearly half the team he inherited.  • It only looked that way.

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

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 …

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 …

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 …