Phillies continue to have trouble dealing Papelbon  —  FOX Sports  —  Trading Jonathan Papelbon continues to be a problem for the Phillies.  —  To illustrate the difficulty that the Phillies are experiencing in trying to trade Jonathan Papelbon, consider a recent turn in their discussions with the Brewers.

Matt Harvey: A-Rod's return is ‘exciting, good for baseball’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Matt Harvey is busy forging his comeback from Tommy John surgery, but he is keeping an eye on the Alex Rodriguez saga with the Yankees.  He offered words of support to Rodriguez, who apologized to Yankees brass on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Mariners To Sign Rickie Weeks  —  The Mariners and second baseman Rickie Weeks are in agreement on a one-year, $2MM Major League deal, pending a physical, reports Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio (Twitter links).  Weeks is represented by the Legacy Agency.

Plenty of interest in Cole Hamels, but no trade yet  —  A week before spring training, a number of Phillies remain very much available for trades.  —  Cole Hamels is still the most coveted Phillie.  —  How many teams have shown interest in the left-hander this offseason?

Cuban infielder expected to work out for Cubs, Dodgers, D-backs this week  —  Matt Yallof, Ron Darling and Tom Verducci discuss the potential of Yoan Moncada and what impact he could have on an MLB team  —  Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada is wrapping up private workouts for teams …

Celebrated little league team stripped of championship title  —  CHICAGO (AP) — A Little League team that captured the attention of the nation and the hearts of its hometown was stripped of its national title Wednesday after an investigation revealed that team officials had falsified boundaries …

Pete Rose: 'I'd love to talk' to Rob Manfred  —  Pete Rose is on the telephone.  —  Nothing personal, but one day he sure wishes the guy on the other end of the line was someone who could actually change his fate, and not just another reporter.  —  Rose badly wants to talk …

Athletics, Tyler Clippard Avoid Arbitration  —  5:50pm: Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets that Clippard will be paid $8.3MM in 2015, which is slightly below the midpoint of the figures that were exchanged.  —  5:18pm: The Athletics announced that they have avoided arbitration …

Balto.  Co. dismisses charges against Browns fan accused of urinating on Modell's grave  —  Baltimore County prosecutors have dismissed charges against an Ohio man who was accused of urinating on the grave of former Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell.  —  Paul Serbu, 62, of Franklin, Ohio …

Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is as delusional as ever thinking he can catch Barry Bonds for home run record  —  His apology comes on the heels of word from Barry Bonds that A-Rod recently told him he still has every intention of breaking his career home run record, which immediately makes a mockery …

Governor Rick Scott Announces the Nationals and the Astros Will Keep Spring Training in Florida  —  Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros, whose leases come up for renewal next year, have chosen to stay in Florida.

Padres Designate Aaron Northcraft For Assignment  —  The Padres have designated righty Aaron Northcraft for assignment, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports on Twitter.  His 40-man spot was needed with the finalization of the James Shields signing.