2009 Yankees May Look A Lot Like 2008 Yankees  —  According to legend, at least, after being poisoned, shot, and savagely beaten, Grigori Rasputin refused to die.  His killers had to bind him and throw him in a river.  You can imagine the terror they felt as they watched him drown, wondering what they'd do if this didn't work.

Posey on the cusp of getting $7.5 million; Crawford signs, too (13)  —  According to industry sources, No.5 overall pick Buster Posey is a done deal.  It's expected to be a major league contract in the neighborhood of $7.5 million.  That shatters the biggest amateur bonus in franchise history — by nearly $5 million.

Ross out of Marlin's lineup with arm injury  —  Outfielder Cody Ross took a Russ Springer fastball on the left arm in the sixth inning of Tuesday's victory over the Cardinals and refused to come out of the game despite being in pain.  —  Ross said the spot where he was hit — just above the elbow …

Paying Manny $100M would set a dangerous precedent … Life sure is beautiful these days on Planet Manny.  Uhhh, a little too beautiful.  —  Hey, we couldn't be happier for those Los Angeles Dodgers, who are selling about 30,000 tickets a day now that they've moved their home games to Planet Manny.

An Interview with SI's Jon Heyman  —  Here's a treat for baseball fans and aspiring journalists: an interview with Sports Illustrated baseball writer Jon Heyman.  He talks about landing last month's Manny Ramirez-to-the-Dodgers scoop, what it's like going against ESPN's team of reporters …

Fort Worth Cats sign major-league draft pick Aaron Crow  —  Pitcher Aaron Crow, who was selected ninth overall in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft by Washington in June, signed a minor-league contract with the Fort Worth Cats on Wednesday.  —  Crow was the Big 12 pitcher of the year at Missouri last season.

D-Backs notebook: Dunn rebuts ex-teammate's claims  —  DENVER - When Adam Dunn was traded, former teammate Bronson Arroyo said he could understand it because Cincinnati could not afford him.  —  “He was going to be moved no matter what,” Arroyo told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Matusz closer to deal with Orioles  —  Hurler reportedly in Baltimore to take physical exam  —  CLEVELAND — The Orioles and first-round pick Brian Matusz inched closer to a deal on Thursday, with one source indicating that the two sides have agreed to terms on a Major League contract with a $3.1 million signing bonus.

Scout: Wells, J-Mac place on waivers  —  SPORTSNET.CA  —  With the MLB trade deadline in the rearview mirror, teams are now looking at the trade waiver wire to stock their roster for an October run.  And some of the names being dangled may surprise you.  —  The Toronto Star is reporting …

eMailbag: Steve's Mets Car  —  Steve C from Long Island, who is a loyal, passionate and active reader of MetsBlog.com, sent in the following image and e-mail: … I think this is, well, amazing.  I have seen the car from the guy who considers himself to have the official Mets car, but …

USA Baseball Wins, Bizarrely  —  The stands just before the second rain delay of U.S.-Netherlands baseball.  By the end, they were emptier.  —  The U.S. baseball team won a 7-0 decision over the Netherlands today, with Stephen Strasburg throwing seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball …

Rockies sign reliever Villarreal  —  The Rockies have signed reliever Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract, adding a veteran at minimal financial risk who might help in long and middle relief this season and in 2009.  —  Villarreal, 26, will make his debut in the organization Saturday with Triple-A Colorado Springs.