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.

Dodgers talk privately with Russell Martin, part ways with Andruw Jones  —  The catcher and McCourts share lunch and tour of team's new spring training facility in Arizona, as he expresses hopes for long-term contract extension.  Jones is release after disappointing results.

Source: Garcia in talks with Mets and Yankees  —  Freddy Garcia hopes to decide by next week whom he will sign with.  Garcia is choosing between the Mets, Yankees, White Sox and Rangers.  His agent, Peter Greenberg, tells 1050, “They all have their pros and cons.”

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  —  Young has also rescinded his request for a trade.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

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 Thursday.  —  The value of the offer, which had a short shelf-life that expired Thursday …

Why Baseball Matters  —  I still feel numb.  Even though I knew Todd was in bad shape-he was in intensive care for more than three weeks-I still can't believe he's dead.  At 41.  He was a kindred spirit, a part of the Banter family as a regular commentor (as he was over at Pete Abe's as well) long before he joined us as a writer.

Reed among Mets to file for arbitration  —  NEW YORK — Six Mets players, including Jeremy Reed, the outfielder the club obtained in the J.J. Putz trade last month, have filed for salary arbitration.  —  The club faces possible hearings with Ryan Church, Pedro Feliciano, John Maine, Angel Pagan and Duaner Sanchez, as well.

Quote: Minaya on Manny, Offense  —  Last night on SNY's Mets Hot Stove, Mets GM Omar Minaya was asked if he could bring in a player, like Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu or Manny Ramirez, on a one-year deal, and said: … Minaya did note how left-handed dominant his batting order is, adding, “So …

BREAKING: Ergopharm raided  —  Barely more than a week after Major League Baseball suspended Phillies reliever J.C. Romero for 50 games for using a banned substance, the laboratory that produced the nutritional supplement that the left-hander claimed was tainted and caused him to falsely test positive …

Hillman to host infield get-together  —  Manager has Major League-sized turf at his spread in Texas  —  KANSAS CITY — Hey, y'all, come on down to Liberty Hill, Texas.  Set a spell.  Chew the fat.  Snag some worm-killers.  Whack the ol' horsehide.  —  All you infielders, that is.

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

Kazmir, Howell added to Team USA  —  Rays southpaws bring American roster to 26 players for Classic  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays will be represented on Team USA's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic after Scott Kazmir and J.P. Howell were added to the team Thursday.

Three Yankees file for arbitration  —  Outfielders Nady and Melky, reliever Bruney could go to hearing  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees' Brian Bruney, Melky Cabrera and Xavier Nady joined a group of 111 Major League players who filed for salary arbitration on Thursday.

Orioles, Zaun agree to one-year deal  —  Contract includes team option for 2010; physical planned for Tuesday  —  Toronto Blue Jays catcher Gregg Zaun (right) is tagged out by Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora as he looks for a stolen base last season.  Zaun agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Orioles.

Ex-Card Taguchi signed by Cubs  —  The Chicago Cubs have signed outfielder So Taguchi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  Taguchi would earn $900,000 if he makes the team in spring training.  —  Taguchi spent all of last season as a backup outfielder for the Phillies …

Cubs' Cedeno, Braves' Diaz avoid arbitration  —  While all six of the eligible Rockies filed for arbitration Thursday without agreements, some more signings continue to trinkle in.  —  The Cubs avoided arbitration with infielder Ronny Cedeno, agreeing to a one-year, $822,000 deal.

Brewers, Bush avoid arbitration  —  Right-hander signs one-year deal worth $4 million  —  The Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday signed pitcher Dave Bush to a one-year, $4 million contract and avoided arbitration.  —  Bush is the second player to sign this week.