Florida businessman pleads guilty in smuggling case for Yasiel Puig
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:54 pm ET) Gilberto Suarez, a South Florida businessman who is accused of helping finance the smuggling of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Robert Scola set a Tuesday plea change hearing for Suarez. If charged, it carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence for Suarez. 

He is alleged to be one of the financers who helped smuggle Puig from Cuba to Mexico in 2012 and was suppose to receive a cut of the seven-year, $42 million contract Puig signed. 

Puig hit .296 with 16 homeruns and 69 RBI in 2014. 

Yankees bringing back pitcher Chris Capuano for next season
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:45 pm ET) The Yankees have re-signed pitcher Chris Capuano to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Capuano, who went 3-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 12 starts for the Red Sox and Yankees, was considering playing in Japan prior to the deal being agreed on. 

Alderson: ‘Very high’ probability Flores will be starting shortstop
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:18 pm ET) Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated Tuesday there is a “very high” probability Wilmer Flores will be the team’s opening day shortstop. His comment comes during the same meeting with the media he said the Mets are “unlikely” to submit a bid for Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang.

“We’ve been looking at it. We’ve been talking to Alan Nero, who has represented Kang,” Alderson said Tuesday, per ESPN. “It’s about the transition from the Korean league to Major League Baseball. It’s about questions surrounding the player’s ability to stay shortstop — or possibly having to move elsewhere. Those are really the two major issues for us. I’m not saying we won’t make a bid, but I’d say right now it’s less likely.”

Report: A-Rod determined to reclaim starting job at third base
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:05 pm ET) Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is determined to reclaim his spot in the infield after sitting out 2014 due to a season-long suspension and wants no part of being a full-time DH, a person who has spoken to Rodriguez “several times” told the New York Daily News.

The Yankees re-signed Chase Headley on Monday to be the team’s primary third baseman.

“In his mind, he’s still the third baseman,” the person said Monday. “That was before (Headley was re-signed) today, anyway.

“Based on what he was being told by the Yankees, Alex believed he would get the chance to play third base, and he believes he can do it. He’s motivated by it because he loves to play the field.

“Whatever (poor) decisions he’s made, he’s still addicted to the game and he says he’s working hard to be ready. He’s said to me, ‘people are going to be surprised,’ meaning he’s convinced he still has game.”

Astros infielder Petit designated for assignment Tuesday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:35 am ET) Astros infielder Gregorio Petit was designated for assignment Tuesday to clear a roster spot for Jed Lowrie, who was signed to a three-year contract. Petit hit .278 with two home runs, eight doubles and nine RBI in 37 games for Houston in 2014.

White Sox officially announce three-year, $42M deal for Melky
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:36 am ET) The White Sox officially announced Tuesday they agreed to terms with outfielder Melky Cabrera on a three-year, $42-million contract. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Monday that Cabrera will make $13 million in 2015, $14 million in 2016 and $15 million in 2017.

The 30-year-old Cabrera had one of the best seasons of his career in 2014, batting .301 with a .351 on-base percentage, .458 slugging percentage and .808 OPS in 139 games with the Blue Jays. He had 16 home runs, 35 doubles, 73 RBI and 81 runs.

Cabrera has done well in his career at U.S. Cellular Field. He has a .336 average, .591 slugging percentage, .957 OPS, two triples, seven home runs, 10 doubles and 24 RBI in 34 career games.

Schuerholz: Braves have discussed Justin Upton extension
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:20 am ET) Braves president John Schuerholz told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday they have had internal discussions about a contract extension for outfielder Justin Upton.

“All things are possible,” Schuerholz said. “That is not on the table at the moment, but we have discussed it internally.”

Schuerholz added the Braves have also discussed trading Upton, but that is of little surprise since Upton has been mentioned heavily in trade rumors. The 27-year-old Upton will be a free agent after the 2015 season.

Showalter: Chris Davis gets approval ‘for what he got suspended for’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:08 am ET) Orioles manager Buck Showalter said in an interview with 105.7 The Fan on Tuesday slugger Chris Davis received approval “for what he got suspended for” during the 2014 season, according to MASNsports.com. Davis was suspended 25 games late in the season for using Adderall without a therapeutic-use exemption.

Davis, who hit an MLB-best 53 home runs in 2013, struggled offensively in 2014. He hit just .196 in 127 games. He did hit 26 home runs, while also posting 16 doubles, 65 runs and 72 RBI.

Padres agree to one-year deal with Brandon Morrow
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:35 am ET) Free agent pitcher Brandon Morrow has agreed to a one-year deal with the Padres, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. He will receive $2.5 million guaranteed, with the potential to earn $5 million in bonuses for starting and $1 million in bonuses for pitching in relief, per MLB.com.

Morrow has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, as he has made 30 starts just once in eight MLB seasons and more than 20 starts just three times. Over the last two seasons, he has totaled 23 appearances (16 starts).

The 30-year-old right-hander is 42-43 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in his career. He has made four appearances (one start) in his career at PETCO Park, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and two saves in 7 1/3 innings.

Michael Morse agrees to two-year deal with Marlins
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:21 am ET) Free agent outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse has agreed to a deal with the Marlins, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. MLB.com reports it is a two-year deal, pending a physical. FOX Sports was first to report Morse was close to a deal with Miami.

Morse heads to Miami with a .281/.335/.473/.808 slash line over 10 seasons in the majors. He helped San Francisco to a World Series title in 2014, while batting .279 with a .475 slugging percentage, 16 home runs, 32 doubles and 61 RBI in 131 regular season games.

In nine career games at Marlins Park, Morse has a .314 average, .457 slugging percentage, .771 OPS, one triple, three doubles and five RBI.