The Cubs on Thursday unveiled plans for their new state-of-the-art baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. The 50-acre complex is expected to take 12-18 months to build.

At last, the Marlins' field of dreams has become a reality. Marlins Park, closing in on being 97-percent completed, now features a playing surface. The first strips of grass were set in place on Thursday morning, and the entire field will be covered within three days.

Speaking from the Dominican Republic, Albert Pujols told Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com that he plans on reporting to his new club's Spring Training complex a week before position players are scheduled to, putting him in Tempe, Ariz., at or around Feb. 19.

It's always been a misnomer to call the 25-man roster at the end of Spring Training final, a point likely to be exacerbated by the number of position battles the Red Sox will host this spring in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Nationals have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Edwin Jackson, pending a physical. Jackson, 28, went a combined 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA last season with the White Sox and Cardinals.

Now that he sees some of his peers from Urban Youth Academy being drafted, Darrell Miller Jr.'s hunger has increased. Miller, one of the top high school catchers in the country, isn't shy about wanting to be the best he can be by his own measurement.

The Red Sox are unlikely to add another starting pitcher, GM Ben Cherington said Wednesday night, tempering reports that had linked Boston to free agents Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson this offseason.

The Nationals learned on Thursday that a three-person panel ruled in their favor in the arbitration case against left-hander John Lannan, who will earn $5 million in 2012.

New Angels assistant general manager Scott Servais spent some time watching Kendrys Morales take batting practice in Arizona last week and came away impressed.

For Alex Avila, Yadier Molina, Brian McCann and Miguel Montero, 2011 turned out to be a banner year at the plate, as each backstop qualified for the batting title and produced an OPS+ of at least 120.

Tthe Tribe is now one autograph shy of settling on contracts with all seven of its arbitration-eligible players. On Wednesday, the Indians reached a one-year agreement with left-hander Rafael Perez to avoid going to arbitration.

Curt Roberts is merely a footnote in baseball history. Maybe not even that. A lightweight second baseman by any measure, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound native of Pineland, Texas, hit .223 in 171 Major League games. He homered once in 575 at-bats. No reason to be remembered at all.

The Reds aren't playing around. A host of bold winter moves having fortified a talented core with power pitching, power hitting and depth everywhere, the Big Red Machine could be back in business.

While the American League is loaded with superstar first basemen, the National League is left with few stars but plenty of unproven young players looking to establish themselves in 2012 and beyond.

James Loney, who was briefly held on suspicion of driving under the influence after hitting three cars during a November accident, will not face criminal charges.

The Nationals' Minor League system was named the best in Major League Baseball, according to Baseball America, on Monday.

Only CBSSports.com has free Gameday Audio, award-winning customization, and exciting new apps integrated into your league.