Sources: Jay Bruce trade to Blue Jays unravels  —  A proposed three-way trade that would have sent outfielder Jay Bruce to the Toronto Blue Jays was on life support late Monday, and perhaps not to be resuscitated, because of concerns over the health of one of the other players involved, a source involved with the deal told Yahoo Sports.

White Sox Sign Jimmy Rollins To Minors Deal  —  12:53pm: Rollins would earn a $2MM salary upon making the Major League roster, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago tweets.  MLB.com's Scott Merkin adds that there are no additional incentives in the deal (Twitter link).  Hayes also tweets that Saladino still …

Mariners closing in on deal with Cuban center fielder  —  Deal with Guillermo Heredia is in place pending a physical  —  Heredia defected from Cuba in January 2015  —  Reports indicate Heredia is a plus-defender with a suspect bat  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners are dipping …

Nationals, Bryce Harper talk contract, but ‘unique talent’ figures to test market  —  VIERA, Fla. - The Washington Nationals are listening to the same things you're hearing.  —  They are watching with great intrigue everything you're watching.  —  They're profoundly aware, just as you are, of what looms in 2018.

Cardinals' Cooney returning to form  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • In a space of three days late last July, Cardinals lefthander Tim Cooney posted his first big-league victory, holding Atlanta to two runs over seven innings, was told he was being optioned the next day to Class AAA Memphis …

The Nationals are stunned that Ian Desmond is still looking for work  —  VIERA, Fla. -  —  Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa said, “I'm shocked.”  —  Right-hander Max Scherzer said, “Of course I'm surprised.”  —  Right fielder Bryce Harper, the reigning National League MVP, seemed almost speechless.

Agent: Cliff Lee Not Expected To Pitch In 2016  —  Cliff Lee was reportedly considering a comeback earlier this winter, but as his agent Darek Braunecker now tells FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link), “We don't anticipate him playing at this point.”  —  Lee last pitched on July 31 …

Yankees' season tickets are the priciest in baseball  —  Season tickets for the Yankees are the most expensive in baseball, easily outpacing other big-market teams, including the crosstown Mets.  —  The Post surveyed every Major League Baseball team's season-ticket packages and compared prices …

Jeff Francoeur returns to Atlanta Braves organization  —  The Braves agreed to terms Monday with outfielder Jeff Francoeur on a one-year minor league contract for the 2016 season.  The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training.  —  Originally drafted 23rd overall by Atlanta in 2002 …

Predicting Tommy John Surgeries  —  From Derick Velazquez in January to Lance Lynn in November, there were 112 ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries requiring reconstructive surgery — commonly called Tommy John Surgery (TJS) — in the 2015 season.  Once a career-killer …

Royals executives can build a team, but might be baseball's worst self-promoters (and the two are connected)  —  Royals executives have heard from friends throughout baseball that they stink at self-promotion  —  Whether directly or indirectly, that “flaw” has helped them build a winner

Carlos Beltran to be a mentor for Yankees prospect Aaron Judge  —  TAMPA — Carlos Beltran's spring locker is tucked into a corner of the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field.  Make a hard right after coming through the door, pass some pitchers who are trying to make the club, and you're headed right for it.