My MVP vote  —  I'm sorry it's taken me so long to actually post this, but I've been trying to answer e-mails and respond to phone calls about why I left Dustin Pedroia off the AL ballot.  Let me first say this to the Red Sox nation: In retrospect, it was a mistake.

Source: Yanks still trying to woo Burnett  —  The Yankees still are preparing a formal offer for righthanded pitcher A.J. Burnett, a club official said yesterday, but the Red Sox have become serious competitors to land him.  —  The Red Sox's pursuit of Burnett complicates the Yankees' plans.

Cubs showing interest in Royals' Teahen  —  The search by the Chicago Cubs for a left-handed bat is targeting Royals outfielder Mark Teahen as a possible solution.  —  That search figures to intensify in coming days in the wake of Tuesday's announcement by the Cubs that free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster …

Don Wakamatsu will be Mariners' manager  —  Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu is to be introduced to Seattle on Wednesday as the new manager of the Mariners.  —  Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik this afternoon told the six other candidates for the job that he was going in a different direction.

Mets have choice of either K-Rod or Fuentes  —  The Mets have many goals and many choices in this baseball offseason, but as they take in the lay of the land now, they think they know this:  —  Acquiring a closer will be first on their list of accomplishments.

Braves shift offseason pitching strategy  —  Even with hurlers coming off market, Atlanta still optimistic  —  ATLANTA — Now that the starting pitching options have started to dwindle on the free-agent market, it's even easier to understand why the Braves worked so hard in an attempt to acquire ace Jake Peavy.

Tigers show interest in Dodgers lefty Joe Beimel  —  The Tigers have shown interest in signing free-agent reliever Joe Beimel, the left-hander's agent said today.  —  Beimel, 31, went 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 71 appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year.

Peanuts, Cracker Jack and Some Illegal Juice  —  “Back Back Back,” a new play by Itamar Moses about baseball's steroids scandal, could actually use a little juicing itself.  Mr. Moses' disappointingly drama-free drama does little more than skim the surface of the protracted controversy …

Jays need to be dealers if money is tight  —  The dismal North American economy may be a precursor to the ‘09 Jays’ payroll being reduced from its year-end $97 million (all figures U.S.), as was hinted by outgoing president Paul Godfrey last week.  But don't look for any big announcement from Rogers ownership.

BERNIE: I'M NOT DONE YET  —  Musician Bernie Williams said last night he has a new CD coming out in April called “Moving Forward.”  —  Just in case any GMs like Brian Cashman are interested, Williams also said he has not shut the door on his baseball career.  Williams, 40, is not totally ready to move forward away from baseball.

Commentary: Valverde, Wigginton have to go  —  Goodbye, Jose Valverde.  You, too, Ty Wigginton.  Pick up your lovely parting gifts at the door.  —  The Astros seem likely to trade both of them in the next few weeks.  You won't like the reason.  Don't shoot the messenger.

Swisher set to give Bombers old college try  —  Derek Jeter has four championship rings and a resume that should land him in the Hall of Fame.  But when the Yankees report to camp in February, none of that will matter to Nick Swisher as long as Ohio State beats Michigan this weekend.