Sources: Initial offer to Varitek for one year  —  According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox' initial contract offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek this offseason was for one year.  It was not determined what the monetary worth of the offer would be …

LEAD: Baseball: Tazawa gets offer from Rangers, nearing decision+  —  TOKYO, Nov. 24 (AP) - (Kyodo)—(EDS: UPDATING WITH MORE INFO)  —  Highly regarded Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa received a lucrative offer from the Texas Rangers on Monday and is expected to decide on his future shortly, his manager said.

Has Rafael Furcal played his last game with the Dodgers?  —  Rafael Furcal's tenure with the Dodgers could be over.  —  The free agent shortstop told El Caribe that he would return from his native Dominican Republic to the United States on Monday to sign a contract — and judging by what he said …

Teixeira, Angels could affect CC  —  On Nov. 22, 2006, the Angels signed Gary Matthews Jr. to a five-year, $50-million contract.  On Nov. 21, 2007, the Angels signed Torii Hunter to a five-year, $90-million contract.  —  That history explains why this could be a crucial week regarding the Yankees' pursuit of CC Sabathia.

Kansas City Royals  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Tigers still looking at shortstop Jack Wilson  —  Nearly 16 months after the Tigers came close to acquiring him at the 2007 trade deadline, the team is interested in obtaining shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates, an industry official confirmed to the Free Press on Friday.

Why Mussina Belongs in the Hall  —  Mike Mussina had not even formally announced his retirement when the debate over his Hall of Fame credentials began in earnest.  Although Mussina, the practitioner of the game's most distinguished knuckle-curve, will not be eligible for induction until 2013 …

GLAVINE'S CHOICE: ADD TO 305 OR START HIS HALL CLOCK TICKING  —  Greg Maddux, who will be 43 shortly after next season starts, and Mike Mussina, who will be 40 Dec. 8, have announced their retirements.  Tom Glavine, who will be 43 during next spring training, has not made any such announcement.

Sox manager sheds no tears for Swisher  —  In a wide-ranging interview, his first since the trade of Nick Swisher and the rumors surrounding possible trades of Javier Vazquez, Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said:  —  • His defending Central Division champions …

Ohman on radar for relief help  —  With Brian Fuentes' exit a foregone conclusion, the Rockies' search for a left-handed reliever has led them toward Ponderosa High School alumnus Will Ohman.  —  The Rockies have spoken to Ohman's agent, but have yet to make a contract offer to the 31-year-old free agent.

AN OFF-THE-BALL LOOK AT YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS CELEBRITIES  —  The Yankees always have been Hollywood's baseball team.  That was evident this week.  In Tampa at Steinbrenner Field the Yankees Fantasy Camp took place.  Richard Gere and his 9-year-old son Homer got pointers from Mickey Rivers and Bucky Dent.