Brad Pitt is not lined up to play him in the next baseball blockbuster, but the hiring of Alex Tamin as director of contracts, research and operations should move the Dodgers forcefully into the Moneyball/SABR/Bill James world of statistical analysis.

Nearly six weeks after his departure from the Red Sox, Terry Francona hopes he can land in another city soaked in baseball tradition.

Dan Duquette is now the executive vice president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles, and he spoke Tuesday of being ready to "get to work." The 53-year-old, who has been out of baseball for nearly a decade, will have a very busy agenda as the immediate successor to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.

The Ohio State and Michigan hockey teams will renew their rivalry on the ice on Jan. 15 at Progressive Field, which hosts the Frozen Diamond Faceoff — the first hockey game in the history of facility as well as the first outdoor college game in the state of Ohio.

Question of Day: What should Duquette do?

Whomever the Brewers acquire to play shortstop in 2012, whether it's free-agent prize Jose Reyes or someone else, club officials are determined to make their choice quietly.

The climb back from injury and to the Majors helped Jason Donald appreciate things a little more this season. Now, it has him looking forward to whatever role might await him when spring returns in 2012.

For teams courting Jose Reyes, these are hardly easy parameters to set. At 28 years old, Reyes remains as electric and talented as he is injury-prone and unpredictable, spawning daydreams of his capabilities alongside fears of his limitations.

Starting pitching is the most inefficient aspect of a free-agent system that is inherently inefficient. And this winter, in particular, the shallow market hammers home that point, and might have teams looking to acquire starters via trades.

What Justin Verlander did this season was so good that it leaves Tuesday's American League Cy Young announcement feeling like a prelude rather than an award in its own right.

Those being considered for the GIBBY Awards' Breakout Player of the Year are Ian Kennedy of the D-backs, Michael Morse of the Nationals, Ryan Vogelsong of the Giants, Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates, Justin Masterson of the Indians, Alex Avila and Doug Fister of the Tigers and Melky Cabrera of the Royals.

There should be little doubt which free-agent third baseman on the market should be the most highly coveted. Aramis Ramirez entered free agency as the top option available to play the hot corner.

If history is a harbinger of things to come, Clayton Kershaw best clear off some space in his trophy case for the 2011 National League Cy Young Award.

Before being honored Tuesday night at the 17th annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards Benefit for ALS research at the Marriott Marquis, Mets third baseman David Wright said the optimist in him still hopes Jose Reyes will stay in New York.

Re-signing C.J. Wilson is still in play on the Rangers' offseason agenda, and no decision has been made if they will move closer Neftali Feliz into the rotation. But Major League officials indicated on Tuesday that all of that hasn't kept the Rangers from aggressively exploring multiple options.

MLB.com's Jim Duquette first reported Tuesday night that the Phillies are working on a four-year, $44 million contract with closer Ryan Madson.

Former Major League third baseman Jack Howell has been hired by the Mariners as their new Minor League field coordinator, the club announced Tuesday.