Joba Chamberlain wants to be in the starting rotation for the Yankees next season. Chamberlain told the New York Post on Saturday night that he will arrive in Tampa next week with his eyes set on being a starting pitcher in 2010. "I'm going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot," Chamberlain said. "Nothing is guaranteed." Chamberlain's main competition for the spot with be Phil Hughes, who excelled as a reliever in 2009.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will help carry the Olympic torch leading up to the Vancouver Games. Morneau grew up just outside of Vancouver and grew up a die-hard hockey fan. He says the honor is "something that's once in a lifetime."

Former Indians manager Eric Wedge is enjoying a season off before looking to re-enter the game in 2011. "It could be the last summer I have with my children at a young age without having to work," Wedge said. "This year is a good physical break for me; a good mental break for me." He went 561-573 with the Indians and was the 2007 AL manager of the year. Wedge said he had contact with six or seven organizations that were interested in his services in some capacity. But he didn't want to work full time this year and said he doesn't believe in doing anything part time.

The Pirates reportedly considered offering to buy the Pirates last fall. Penguins owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux reportedly considered making an offer to buy the Pirates, but the ballclub's owner made it clear the baseball team was not, and is not, for sale.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire expressed optimism on Friday about re-signing catcher Joe Mauer. "I'm just letting it happen. I don't sit and fret about it," Gardenhire said. "I think the right thing is going to happen. I think we all know. I think we all know the ramifications if something were not to happen and it would go the other way. That wouldn't be a good thing for anybody. I don't see who, other than maybe some clubs out east." Mauer is making $12.5 million this season and the last year of his current contract.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya says that he's in charge of the team. He tried to end rumors that he's not calling the shots in New York. "I know there's been some talk about that, but I have full autonomy," Minaya told SNY's 'Hot Stove.' "We feel good about working together and we'll continue to work together (in the front office)." The general manager added that the Mets have not had financial restrictions this winter.

Former Blue Jays second baseman Roberto Alomar will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this summer. Alomar missed out on induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown by eight votes earlier this month. The 12-time All-Star will be enshrined in St. Marys, Ontario, along with reliever Paul Quantrill, former Twins owner Calvin Griffith and statistical guru Allan Roth.

Baseball players are donating $1 million to Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The MLBPA says it is making a pair of $100,000 contributions to Esperanza International and Medicines for Humanity through the MLB Players Trust. The trust will give grants for the remainder of the money over the next five years. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson, the trust chair, said Thursday that players "want to do our part to support the humanitarian efforts."

The Cubs announced Wednesday that they will keep their spring training home in Mesa, Ariz. The move denies suitors in Florida and keeps Arizona's highest-drawing spring training team in town. "We've been in Arizona for 57 years and we look forward to the next 57 years," said Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.

The Pirates plan to honor Bill Mazeroski with a statue outside of PNC Park to commemorate the Hall of Famer's home run that won the World Series 50 years ago. Statues of Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell are already in place outside the stadium.