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.

Ibanez, Washburn to remain with M's … Time expired on Thursday afternoon on waiver claims made on Raul Ibanez and Jarrod Washburn, and both players will be remaining with the Mariners.  SI.com has learned that the Tigers won the claim on Ibanez and the Twins won the claim on Washburn.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Varitek files for divorce  —  Sox catcher Jason Varitek (above) is splitting with his wife, Karen.  The team captain filed for divorce July 28 in Gwinnett County, Ga., where the couple live in the offseason.  They were married in 1997 and have three daughters, ages 8, 6, and 3.

A few frantic hours of MLB trade rumors  —  Working out of his Roselle home, 26-year-old Tim Dierkes has turned what used to be his hobby into a career.  Dierkes runs mlbtraderumors.com, a Web site where he gathers the latest baseball whispers from journalists covering all 30 major-league teams.

White Sox belt four straight homers, ruffle Royals in sweep  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan Uribe hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning Thursday to tie a major league record and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-2 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Tigers' 5-run 8th prevents Jays' sweep  —  DETROIT (AP)—Tigers manager Jim Leyland is determined to get the most out of his team down the stretch of a disappointing season.  —  Edgar Renteria hit a tiebreaking two-run double in Detroit's five-run eighth inning and the Tigers avoided a four …

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 …