Five too high for A.J. Burnett: Yankees  —  The Yankees are on an all-out pitching blitz, but A.J. Burnett's desire for a five-year contract has bogged down the Bombers' pursuit of the righthander, according to a baseball executive familiar with the team's thinking.

Minaya might give Castillo another shot  —  Despite the shiny new surroundings of Citi Field - if it's still called that by 2009 - next year's Mets could look very similar to last season's club, at least at a couple of crucial positions.  With such fierce competition for Raul Ibañez …

Joe Beimel's days with Dodgers apparently over  —  Agent Joe Sroba says team has expressed no interest in re-signing the left-handed reliever, and GM Ned Colletti confirms Sroba's belief that Dodgers ‘want to go in a different direction.’  —  Unless the Dodgers change their minds …

Brewers waiting on word from Sabathia  —  Brewers have not heard from free-agent lefty's camp  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin refuted any notion that he's growing frustrated, even after another week passed by with no response from CC Sabathia's representatives.

METS MAY PAY FOR CITI SLUMP  —  EDGY ABOUT $400M DEAL  —  The Mets better not get too attached to the name Citi Field.  —  Team officials are said to be increasingly nervous as struggling Citigroup's stock continues to plummet - and potentially endangers their $20 million-a-year naming-rights deal for the new $850 million stadium.

Washington Nationals Top 20 Prospects for 2009  —  Alexander Hamilton, my favorite Founding Father  —  Washington Nationals Top 20 Prospects for 2009  —  All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.  Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10.

Renteria's rep negotiating with Giants  —  Shortstop likely won't sign until fellow free agent Furcal does  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The plot thickened slightly Friday in the Giants' search for a free-agent infielder, as Jeff Lane, the representative for shortstop Edgar Renteria …

Should the Moose make the Hall?  —  What do you think?  Vote in the poll over to the right.  —  As for me, I don't have a vote yet.  But I will when he comes up for election in five years and I will vote for him.  —  I was on the borderline until a few months ago until a conversation with Johnny Damon convinced me.

D-Backs make offer to R. Vazquez  —  Looking to fill a hole at second base, the Diamondbacks have made a contract offer to free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez.  —  Details of the offer are unknown.  —  Vazquez's agent, Melvin Roman, said his client also has received an offer from another team.

Millwood, Padilla drawing some interest  —  The Braves, Dodgers and Mets are believed to be among teams that have inquired about Rangers starting pitchers Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla.  Both pitchers provide viable, reasonably cost-effective options in case those teams strike out on the free-agent market.

Cuba throws 2 baseball stars off top team  —  HAVANA—Ace pitcher Yadel Marti and star outfielder Yasser Gomez have been thrown off Cuba's top league team for “a grave act of indiscipline,” likely ending their hopes of playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.