Reloaded Yanks have high expectations  —  Sabathia, Burnett and Teixeira bolster Bombers in AL East  —  NEW YORK — Brian Cashman enjoyed a brief respite from his office at Yankee Stadium over the holidays.  As the Yankees would no doubt agree, the extended break was well-deserved.

Sunnier Times in New Mainstream Media  —  Sports Commentary  —  We all have our career flashpoints.  Mine came in China, perhaps triggered by a near-death experience while climbing the Great Wall.  Or the horror of Bill Plaschke, my TV sparring partner, trying the local delicacy …

CATCH-22 … At Jason Varitek's peak, he was a top-five catcher, an offensive force who was just as valuable behind the plate as he was in the locker room.  —  But offensively, that peak is at least three years gone.  The Red Sox would be making a mistake to pay him like the player he once was …

Mets' talks with Lowe to heat up  —  The Mets' talks with free agent pitcher Derek Lowe are expected to intensify this week.  (Getty Images Photo)  —  After a holiday respite, things could get busy again in the baseball world this week.  For the Mets, negotiations are expected to heat up for righthander Derek Lowe.

Sabathia, Uptons prominent on MLB watch list in 2009  —  What's going to happen this year in Major League Baseball?  We asked some of ESPN's finest about people and teams to watch in nine different categories in 2009. … There are times when a young player's extraordinary physical ability …

Hot Stove is poised to pick up pace  —  Several marquee names remain without 2009 homes  —  With the Hot Stove League past its midpoint, and with less than six weeks remaining before pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, the words of A's general manager Billy Beane are ringing true less …

Marlins face challenges in new year  —  Inking arbitration-eligible players, catching depth on to-do list  —  MIAMI — As the Marlins usher in a new year, the organization carries over many of the same challenges and objectives with Spring Training now less than six weeks away.

St. Louis Cardinals Top 20+ Prospects for 2009  —  Tools galore. . .  St. Louis Cardinals 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.

Nats would like lineup to lean more left  —  Bowden wants better balance for right-handed batting order  —  WASHINGTON — Entering the New Year, the Nationals are still looking for left-handed hitters to offset the overload of right-handed bats in the starting lineup.

Baseball's Law Firm  —  Here's a story from Saturday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about the relationship between the Foley & Lardner law firm and Major League Baseball: … Foley does everything for baseball, and I'm assuming it's a pretty good client for Ms. Braza to have.  This interested me, though:

Bobby Valentine searches for his next great challenge  —  STAMFORD - For most people, seven is a lucky number.  —  That particular numeral sends a different message to Bobby Valentine.  —  “I spent seven years in Texas as manager of the Rangers.  I spent seven years in New York as manager of the Mets,” Valentine said.

Lowe on hill, Andruw in (Braves) outfield?  —  Well, hello again, denizens, it's good to be back from Colorado's perfectly powdery slopes — with femurs, wrists and my back intact and spirits rejuvenated by a snowboarding vacation.  —  After the business of baseball slowed to a crawl through the holidays …

Brewers remain on the free-agent prowl  —  Lineup returns intact, but pitching a priority with vacancies  —  MILWAUKEE — It's back to work for Brewers officials on Monday following their holiday break, with only 39 days before pitchers and catchers formally report for the start of Spring Training.