Sources: Red Sox, Youkilis agree to deal  —  The Red Sox locked up another of their young stars to a long-term deal Thursday.  —  Youkilis  —  Boston avoided arbitration with Kevin Youkilis, agreeing to a four-year contract with the first baseman worth more than $40 million, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons.

Vizquel: Padres would be a ‘great fit’  —  Club talking with veteran shortstop, eyes a decision this week  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres are seeking depth at shortstop.  Omar Vizquel is looking for a job, preferably, he says, in the National League West Division.  —  Could the two be a match?

Opinion: The Basket Solution  —  Instead of signing Oliver Perez to what could end up being a four-year deal, possibly worth as much as $12 million per season, I suggest the Mets use a ‘Basket Solution.’  —  Yesterday, I asked readers of MetsBlog.com what Perez was worth …

Young will shift to third base  —  Rangers shortstop changes stance, clearing way for rookie Andrus  —  Rangers infielder Michael Young has agreed to move to third base for the 2009 season.  —  Young has also rescinded his request for a trade.  The move opens the door for rookie Elvis Andrus to play shortstop.

Nats, A's Revive Nick Johnson Trade Talks  —  The Nationals and Oakland Athletics, who discussed a potential trade for first baseman Nick Johnson all the way back in November, have revived those talks in recent weeks, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Bush signs one-year deal  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  The Brewers knocked off another arbitration-eligible player by signing right-hander Dave Bush to a 2009 contract.  —  I haven't seen the terms yet but Bush made $2.55 million last season and is in his second year of arbitration eligibility.

Arbitration madness about to begin  —  Here it comes.  We're warning you now.  It's the arbitration class of 2009, potentially the most expensive, most sport-rattling arbitration class ever.  And it's about to leave a mark on this sport the size of Bryce Canyon.

A Death in the Family  —  It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that our colleague and friend Todd Drew passed away last night.  According to his wife, “Todd lost the last game of the season in the bottom of the 9th inning just after midnight.  His dear friend Michael and I were with him and he went very peacefully.

Garland rejects D-Backs' offer  —  Looking for stability in their rotation, the Diamondbacks made a run at innings-eater Jon Garland this week, but their offer to the right-hander was rejected on Thursday.  —  The length and value of the offer is not known, but it had a short shelf-life that expired Thursday.

Yankees want Posada to skip Classic  —  Catcher's father says son has signed to play for Puerto Rico  —  NEW YORK — Jorge Posada's hopes of playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic may be dashed by the Yankees, who would prefer to have the catcher physically prepared for Opening Day.

Coin flips eliminated as MLB playoff tiebreakers … PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — All postseason games will be played to their conclusion under a change to the major league rules approved Thursday by baseball owners.  —  Owners also voted to use head-to-head records to replace coin flips …

Astros: Clemens welcome in camp — as a fan  —  About this time last year, Roger Clemens was on Capitol Hill fending off the testimony of his former personal trainer, who said he injected the pitcher with steroids and human growth hormone.  —  One year later, Clemens remains in the news …

Hendry hunts for pitcher hunt  —  Lots of free agents remain on the market, and premier trade targets Jake Peavy and Brian Roberts are hanging in varying degrees of limbo.  —  But as the Cubs approach the last month of their offseason, it looks more likely that what fans see at the Cubs Convention …

Owners: Time for a cap in MLB? … PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — Some baseball owners say it may be time to reconsider a salary cap after the New York Yankees spent nearly a half-billion dollars on free agents during a recession that may cause some teams to retrench.