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.

Source: Padres target SS Eckstein  —  The San Diego Padres, looking for an affordable middle infielder to plug the hole created by the trade of shortstop Khalil Greene to St. Louis earlier this offseason, are focusing on free agent David Eckstein, said a baseball source.  —  Eckstein

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.

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  —  Young has also rescinded his request for a trade.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.

Why Is Bly not Fly?  —  John Heyman made a comment during the MLB Network Hall of Fame show that cut both ways for me.  Rich Lederer, long time advocate for Bert Blyleven's Hall of Fame induction transcribes Heyman's remarks: … Patrick Sullivan, another writer at Baseball Analysts …

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.

Yanks, Mets finalists for Freddy Garcia  —  by Joe Pawlikowski  —  We learned earlier this week that RHP Freddy Garcia will decide on a team by the end of next week.  There are four finalists: Mets, White Sox, Rangers, and Yankees.  While it wouldn't be right to count out the Sox right now …

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.

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 …

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.

Six Mets file for arbitration  —  When Oliver Perez beat the Mets in arbitration for $6.5 million last year, it was the club's first hearing with a player since David Cone in 1992.  Now that the streak is over, the Mets will have work to do to avoid arbitration with this year's crop of eligible players.

Colon, White Sox agree to contract  —  CHICAGO — Free agent Bartolo Colon, a former Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star, agreed Thursday to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.  —  A two-time 20-game winner, Colon could earn an additional $2 million based on innings.