Gammons's take  —  ESPN baseball guru Peter Gammons, while promoting his upcoming “Hot Stove, Cool Music” event, spoke at length this afternoon on sports radio station WEEI about the future of Jason Varitek, Mark Teixeira's icy past relationship with Alex Rodriguez, and numerous other topics.

Red Sox believe Baldelli can contribute  —  The Boston Red Sox were close to signing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday night.  It is expected to be announced at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored.  —  Baldelli, 27, has been limited to 155 games …

Giambi completes one-year deal to return to A's … OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jason Giambi is returning to his professional baseball roots with the Oakland Athletics.  —  Giambi and the A's finalized a one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter …

O's, Roberts no closer on extension  —  Source: O's have made offer, but sides significantly apart on years, money  —  As spring training approaches, the Orioles and Brian Roberts have moved no closer to a contract extension, but the second baseman's agent believes there is still a chance.

Pitcher Patterson retiring from baseball  —  Former Nationals righty unable to overcome pain in right forearm  —  WASHINGTON — Right-hander John Patterson, best known for his years with the Nationals, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring from baseball because of persistent pain in his right forearm.

Washington Nationals  —  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 …

Reds invite 11 to big league camp  —  Outfielder Nix, reliever Fultz among those with Majors experience  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds revealed on Wednesday that 11 players have been invited to Major League Spring Training as non-roster players.  —  There are four pitchers, two catchers …

Braves keeping tabs on Kawakami  —  Japanese righty has recently narrowed his list of potential teams  —  ATLANTA — As Kenshin Kawakami gets closer to choosing a Major League employer, the Braves still appear to be appealing to the Japanese right-hander.  —  According to a source familiar …

Octogenarian Writer Leaves Rickey Henderson Off His HOF Ballot; Hilarity Ensues  —  Rickey Henderson is a lock to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but will he be the first-ever unanimous selection?  Sadly, no ... thanks to this man!  —  Meet Corky Simpson, former sportswriter …

Marquis gone; Peavy in focus?  —  The Cubs finished off the Jason Marquis-for-Luis Vizcaino trade with the Colorado Rockies as expected Tuesday.  —  But will it look more like a Marquis-for-Jake Peavy deal by the time they open spring training next month?  —  General manager Jim Hendry …

First-rounder Castro gets spring invite  —  Prospect was 10th overall pick in '08, three others to join him  —  HOUSTON — Jason Castro has earned high marks practically from the day the Astros drafted him as their No. 1 pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, and in less than six weeks …

Cardinals manager passionate animal advocate  —  BC-BBN—La Russa's Pet Project, 1st Ld-Writethru,0675  —  Eds: UPDATES throughout.  —  By R.B. FALLSTROM  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Inside Tony La Russa's northern California home, there are more dogs and cats than positions on the baseball field.

Citi Field: Where Homeruns Go To Die  —  Citi Field opens for real in three months, but I feel like we still know very little about it aside from its aesthetics.  Dimensionally, we know it'll sport a similar configuration to Shea Stadium, with some variably higher walls and the odd geometric nuance to break from straight symmetry.

Rockies still pursuing depth, have interest in Fogg  —  The acquisition of Jason Marquis doesn't change the Rockies' desire for more pitching depth, but it doesn't leave much room in the budget or on the depth chart to land free agents Tim Redding and Josh Fogg.

If the Yankees are buying a championship, at least it's a good looking one  —  Give me a minute or two to be completely and utterly ridiculous (and talk about the Yankees)...  The New York Yankees have just plunked down nearly half a billion dollars for the service of three men.

The final chapter on Teixeira  —  NEW YORK - In the catacombs of the old Yankee Stadium, dressed in a charcoal suit with pinstripes, Mark Teixeira settled his large frame into a rather ordinary folding chair yesterday.  The latest member of the Yankees gently removed his cap, exposing an undeniable impression on his forehead.