Red Sox sign Pedroia to $40.5M extension  —  The Red Sox rewarded their newest MVP with an extension Wednesday.  —  Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has signed a six-year, $40.5 million extension with Boston through 2014 with a club option for the 2015 season, ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting.

Yanks watch as Braves aim for A.J.  —  While the Yankees sit and wait for CC Sabathia to decide whether it's worth $140 million to pitch in New York, the Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market.  —  Just as they were finalizing …

And the first free agent is ..... Russell Branyan.  —  The Mariners first free agent signing is third baseman/hitter Russell Branyan.  —  “Russell gives us a veteran left-handed bat with power and can be used as a first baseman, third baseman or designated hitter,” said Zduriencik.

One Man's Hall of Fame Vote  —  Now that it's OK to say you're a liberal without being forced to live in an underground bunker, I will go ahead and admit it: I am a liberal, especially when it comes time to vote for the Hall of Fame.  For the 12th straight December, I will have the privilege …

Giants aim to shore up infield  —  Buzz up!  —  Needing offense and an overhaul of the left side of their infield, the San Francisco Giants believe they are closing in on signing shortstop Edgar Renteria and have discussed a trade that would send left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez …

Tampa Bay Rays' full playoff shares top $200,000  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The stunning run to the World Series benefited the entire Rays organization.  For the players, coaches, manager Joe Maddon and some staff members, that reward included a $223,390.05 bonus.

Reagins says Teixeira still priority  —  Angels GM doesn't expect much to happen before Meetings  —  ANAHEIM — With Mark Teixeira still the Angels' highest priority, general manager Tony Reagins said he doesn't anticipate anything happening before the Winter Meetings convene in Las Vegas on Monday.

WILPON NOT WORRIED ABOUT SLOW OFFSEASON  —  Nearly three weeks into free agency and with a gaping hole at closer, the Mets' only major move so far has been re-signing journeyman outfielder Fernando Tatis.  —  But Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon isn't worried about the glacial pace being set by GM Omar Minaya.

Price of ticket to Giants game will depend on day  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Next season, San Francisco Giants fans buying single-game tickets for an April game against Milwaukee might pay half as much as they would for a weekend game with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers later in the year.

Angels' Kendry Morales is hot, just like the winter weather  —  Kendry Morales admits there's a noticeable difference between professional baseball in the U.S. and winter ball in the Caribbean.  The U.S. is “a lot colder,” the Angels slugger says.  —  But Morales' performance has been anything …

Atkins appears to be a keeper  —  It appears more and more likely that third baseman Garrett Atkins will remain with the Rockies.  —  General manager Dan O'Dowd has listened to inquiries over the past month, namely from the Reds and Twins, but hasn't been tempted as next week's winter meetings draw near.

Texas Rangers' GM probably won't wheel and deal  —  Next week could be extremely dangerous for the Rangers' front office.  Hole them up at The Bellagio for four days with nobody to talk to, and it could end up being an ugly sight at the craps table.  —  I can just see Jon Daniels right now …

A Note on the Champs  —  If I were an owner of a Major League Baseball team, I would want my Baseball Operations staff to draft well and then to develop those players so that they could become Major League assets quickly.  I would want them to keep tabs on every professional baseball player …