Starting Pitcher: Lowe wants $16 million per year  —  Tonight on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Live, SI.com's Jon Heyman said Derek Lowe rejected Omar Minaya's three- year, $36 million offer, because he is seeking $16 million per season.  —  According to Heyman, the Phillies and Braves …

Sources: Dodgers hope to move cheaper Jones  —  A month ago, Andruw Jones was considered untradeable within the baseball industry.  Now that his contract has been restructured, to make him more affordable to any interested suitors, the Dodgers intend to weigh his market value again, according to baseball sources.

Questions about sale of Padres to Moorad  —  • There has probably been more blatant lying during this year's hot stove league than in any in recent memory, on the part of some club officials and some agents.  So are the Giants really interested in Manny Ramirez?

Meet Your New Fanhouse Columnist ... Jay Mariotti  —  Starting Monday, Fanhouse will add ex-Chicago Tribune columnist and venerable Around The Horn noisemaker Jay Mariotti to its stable of writers.  Fun for the whole family.

Where are they now?  Former Met Anthony Young  —  Fans sent Anthony Young all sorts of good-luck talismans while he was enduring his infamous losing streak - four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, rabbit's feet.  One woman gave him her treasured $2 bill.  Psychics called the Met offices offering aid.

There's much to like about Manny blockbuster deal - and a lot to hate  —  (01-03) 18:53 PST — The last time we all pitched a nutty about the Giants making a run at a big-name free agent, Brian Sabean pitched a nutty right back, ripping the media for creating a firestorm out of nothing.

2009 will celebrate the young player  —  During the 2008 ALCS, a Red Sox player said, “I've had to use a cup five times in the last three weeks.  Drug-tested five times in three weeks — imagine if I had hit anything!  I know the system is random, I know they're serious, I'm actually glad they're doing it.

Being a Cardinal “made my career happen,” says Aaron Miles  —  TOWER GROVE — In a few days, newly-minted Chicago Cubs infielder Aaron Miles will have a reunion of sorts at a charity event with the manager that made him a millionaire.  He expects the worst.

YANKEES GREAT DENT PLAYED BALL WITH TEIXEIRA'S FATHER  —  Baseball is a tapestry and sometimes it is woven in pinstripes.  —  Hialeah High School was on its way to a Florida state championship in 1969, one of three state baseball titles the school has won in 55 years.  Bucky Dent was the star shortstop.

Stop the madness, please  —  Things that drive me crazy:  —  The Joba debate: Why does this still continue in some quarters?  He had a 2.76 ERA in 12 starts last season.  He struck out 74 batters in 60 innings.  He's a really, really good starter and he's 23.

Roberts to the “other” Chicago?  —  Brian Roberts always seems to be linked to the Chicago Cubs in trade rumors, but White Sox general manager Kenny Williams loves the guy and is trying to acquire him.  —  The two sides have discussed former Mount St. Joe pitcher Gavin Floyd as a starting point in trade talks.

Winter wonderings  —  Readers have questions about Varitek, Baldelli, Lars Anderson, and some leftover thoughts on the Sox' failed pursuit of Teixeira  —  It's with a heavy heart that I bring you this edition of the mailbag.  While you're all worried about the state of the Red Sox offense …

New York Yankees to hold clinic in Taipei in conjuction with Chinese Taipei Baseball Association  —  Marks Yankees' first public outreach in Taiwan  —  The New York Yankees announced today they will join the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association under the auspices of Major League Baseball …

Forget him!  Shanahan no longer in Jets' head coach hunt  —  It was a brief flirtation, and now it's over.  Mike Shanahan isn't coming to the Jets, the Daily News has learned.  —  The Jets held internal discussions on the recently-fired Broncos coach.  They even tried to send a feeler …

MLB Network Launch Nearly a Grand Slam  —  One of the most highly anticipated television channel launches in history occurred on Thursday, when the MLB Network went live at 6pm ET.  The 24-hour dedicated channel long sought after by Major League Baseball arrived with Commissioner Bud Selig addressing fans …