The A’s agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-hander Chris Resop on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday significant modifications in MLB’s drug testing program, by which players will be tested during the season for human growth hormone.

The morning was anything but typical, though Craig Biggio attempted his best to stay busy. He drank a couple of cups of coffee and tried to kill some time at his Houston home while awaiting the results of the National Baseball Hall of Fame balloting on Wednesday.

Manager Sparky Anderson is the only member of the 1984 Tigers who’s enshrined in Cooperstown. Unless Jack Morris gets a vote push next year, or the Veterans Committee later takes up somebody’s case, that’s how the team is destined to be remembered.

There is one outfielder left that makes a whole lot of sense for the Mets. Scott Hairston, one of the most desirable righty bats on this year’s market, is still available, and reportedly has listed the Mets as one of his personal finalists.

With three outs to go and the game on the line, which closer gets the nod — Rod Beck, Robb Nen or Brian Wilson? Here’s your chance to decide.

First baseman Eric Hosmer will be an integral part of the revamped Royals’ revitalized hopes for the coming season.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday left-hander Cole Hamels’ shoulder is fine. CSNPhilly.com reported Hamels had some shoulder soreness late in the season and in the offseason.

For Trevor Bauer, the baseball talent that came so naturally to him stands in stark contrast to the social and interpersonal skills that have often eluded him.

When it comes to raw strikeout totals in relation to the league leaderboards and strikeout rates in relation to history, the combination of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in 2012 had few peers.

Spring Training is right around the corner, and Pirates chairman Bob Nutting is eager see his team back in the field, preparing to improve on the promise of the 2012 season.

Right-hander Manny Corpas, the closer on the 2007 Rockies club that went to the only World Series in team history, rejoined the Rockies on Wednesday, agreeing to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, according to Major League sources.

For five voters from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, a blank ballot was the message to the baseball world, a message centered mainly on having to sit in judgment on an era clouded by the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The Rangers may yet bring another outfielder into the fold, but David Murphy is ready to be the everyday left fielder if general manager Jon Daniels stands pat.

Voting members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America sent a strong message Wednesday when they didn’t elect anyone to the Hall of Fame.

Braves pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine will highlight the list of players who will be added to the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time next year. Their former manager Bobby Cox and former general manager John Schuerholz could both gain election through the Veterans Committee.

Make room, LeBron, Wade and Bosh. There’s another Big Three now, residing nearly 3,000 miles west of South Beach: Trout, Pujols, Hamilton.