The Baseball Thread

First, Albert Pujols agreed to a 10-year deal for at least $250 million with the team,
sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Thursday.

Then the Angels agreed to terms with left-handed starter C.J. Wilson on a five-year,
$77.5 million contract, his agent Bob Garber told ESPN.

Ryan Braun tests positive for PED

National League MVP Ryan Braun, who last season led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title in
nearly three decades, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension
if the initial finding is upheld, two sources familiar with the case told "Outside the Lines."

Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration.

A spokesman for Braun confirmed the positive test Saturday and issued a statement: "There are highly unusual
circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was
absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history,
unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any
further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

USA Today reported Saturday night that Braun said of the test result: "It's B.S."

The 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the
positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable
player.

The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside
the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by
Braun's body.

Joe Torre to try to buy Dodgers

Joe Torre has quit his job with Major League Baseball to pursue ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers,
the league announced on Wednesday.

Torre was named executive vice president for baseball operations in February and took the lead for
on-field discipline and umpiring, among other duties.

"I am so appreciative of the chance (commissioner Bud Selig) gave me to see the game from a different
perspective by working for Major League Baseball, especially during such a great time for our sport," Torre
said in a statement. "I have made this decision because of a unique chance to join a group that plans to bid
for the Dodgers. After leaving the field, this job was an incredible experience, one that I enjoyed very much.
I want to thank the commissioner and all of my colleagues over the last year, particularly the members of the
baseball operations group and the major league umpires."

Torre managed the Dodgers from 2008-10 after 12 years as skipper of the New York Yankees, a run in which
he won six pennants and four World Series titles.

The Dodgers sought bankruptcy protection in June after Selig rejected a new TV deal with Fox that Dodgers owner
Frank McCourt was counting on to keep the franchise solvent. The Dodgers ultimately reached an agreement with
the league that calls for a sale of both the team and the media rights. The team must be sold by April 30.

MLB senior vice presidents Joe Garagiola, Jr., Kim Ng and Peter Woodfork will replace Torre on an interim basis,
the league announced, saying that a permanent replacement will be named at a later date.

"Joe has been an invaluable resource for me and all of us at Major League Baseball this year and has splendidly
communicated with our on-field personnel, general managers and the umpires," Selig said in the statement.
"I understand his desire to pursue an opportunity in Los Angeles. Joe has been a life-long friend and I know that
will continue in the future."

Source: Jorge Posada Intends To Retire

The "Core Four" is down to two.

New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is planning to retire, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The source told Olney that Posada, 40, is trying to determine the right time to make an announcement, which
is expected to be in the next two weeks.

Posada, shortstop Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte compiled the core
group that helped the Yankees win five World Series championships between 1996-2009.

Pettitte retired after the 2010 season.

Posada hit .235 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs last season.

After Posada's final game last October, he was asked what playing for the Yankees had meant to him -- and he
broke down in tears, before walking away from reporters.

Posada probably could have continued his career somewhere as a designated hitter and padded his career
numbers of 275 home runs, 1,065 RBIs and 936 walks. But Posada always cherished the privilege and responsibility
of being the Yankees catcher.