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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Are today's closers Hall-worthy?  —  Rivera, Hoffman two active pitchers who are leading candidates  —  NEW YORK — As Lee Smith waits to learn if he will pass through the Baseball Hall of Fame's doors, many among the current crop of Major League closers have their own dreams of someday being given an afternoon in the Cooperstown sun.