Boston places highest Matsuzaka bid  —  Red Sox have 30 days to negotiate contract with ace  —  NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have won negotiating rights for Japanese League star Daisuke Matsuzaka, SI.com has confirmed.  —  The winning bid is thought to be for between $34 million and $38 million.

Yanks, Mets move on  —  With Daisuke on way to Sox, market opens  —  NAPLES, Fla. - As the general managers' meetings got underway yesterday, the Yankees and Mets both seemed to be moving beyond the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes, which the Daily News has learned has been won by the Red Sox …

Red Sox should be smart with their money  —  NAPLES, Fla. - From every indication, the Red Sox are going as nuts for Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka as Borat did for Pamela Anderson.  Their final payout for Matsuzaka could exceed $25 million per season, a sum that is as breathtaking as it is extreme.

Angels lose out in bidding for Japanese pitcher  —  The Angels were among the eight or so teams that submitted bids for the highly regarded right-hander, but it appears the Red Sox posted the high bid.  —  The Angels are on the verge of falling to 0-2 this off-season.

Marlins will talk, but not about Willis  —  NAPLES — If there Marlins make any trades this winter, chances are they'll tap their surplus of young pitchers.  But don't expect Dontrelle Willis to be dangled as trade bait just yet.  —  Despite speculation that the Marlins left-hander could be moved …

Red Sox reportedly win Matsuzaka bid  —  Price to negotiate with Japanese star as high as $50 million  —  NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have apparently won the U.S. rights to star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, it was reported on several media outlets and substantiated by highly placed baseball officials on Monday.

Notes: Rangers' Matsuzaka bid in doubt  —  Offer for negotiating rights with Japanese star may fall short  —  ARLINGTON — Major League Baseball has not yet officially announced who has won the rights to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  But the Rangers are dealing …

GMs bowled over as meetings open  —  Execs hit the lanes in Naples; full agenda set for Tuesday  —  NAPLES, Fla. — On the first day of their annual meetings, the general managers went bowling.  That's right.  You heard right.  —  The winner was Kevin Towers of the Padres, who bowled in the mid-160s.

Valentin back in the fold  —  STAFF CORRESPONDENT; Staff writer David Lennon contributed to this notebook.  —  NAPLES, Fla. - The Mets are bringing back Jose Valentin, their pleasant surprise at second base, for 2007.  But Valentin won't necessarily be the Mets' starting second baseman next year.

Ramirez named NL Rookie of the Year  —  Hanley nips Zimmerman for BBWAA honor  —  MIAMI — To fully appreciate Hanley Ramirez's rookie season, some historical perspective is needed.  —  The gifted 22-year-old Marlins shortstop posted some first-year numbers that rival some of the game's all-time greats.