Rays sign reliever Lance Cormier  —  The Rays signed righthanded reliever Lance Cormier to a one-year, $675,000 contract.  —  To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated for assignment righthander Dewon Day, whom they had just claimed off waivers.  —  Cormier, 28, was with the Orioles …

Sox sign Colon - bye, bye Freddy Garcia  —  The White Sox were looking to add a veteran pitcher to compete in the starting rotation at some point this offseason, and all signs pointed toward it being the pitcher nicknamed “Big Game.”  —  Rather than take a chance on the ailing shoulder of Freddy Garcia …

Reds legends help ‘Ellen’ land Clooney  —  Movie star a life-long fan of Hall of Fame Cincinnati sluggers  —  Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan have done what the Chippendales, the Rockettes, Brad Pitt and even president-elect Barack Obama couldn't.  —  After more than two years of trying …

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.

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.

Brewers' pursuit of Dunn is done  —  Team not interested in trading Hart to open spot for slugger  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers showed some interest in free-agent slugger Adam Dunn during the Winter Meetings, but by Christmas there was no longer a match, general manager Doug Melvin said.

Braves eyeing returns for Glavine, Jones  —  ATLANTA — The Braves will wait for Tom Glavine to meet with doctors next week before deciding whether to offer a one-year contract, and they are mulling whether to sign Andruw Jones.  —  Glavine made just 13 starts before season-ending elbow surgery and has not thrown off a mound since.

Bonds OK'd for New York ballparks  —  Yankees, Mets get additional public funding for new homes  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Mets have won their fight to get public backing for additional financing for their new ballparks.  —  The city's Industrial Development Agency …

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.

Some closure on the Tigers' pursuit of JJ Putz  —  The epilogue in the Tigers' unsuccessful pursuit of closer J.J. Putz came this week - in the form of news from Tampa Bay.  —  Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton is expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery, according to reports.

Carlos Delgado will honor Roberto Clemente at WBC  —  Carlos Delgado knows there will be much riding on his back when he dons his World Baseball Classic jersey for Puerto Rico in March.  The Met first baseman has been given permission by Roberto Clemente's family to wear No. 21 …

Three key Orioles file for arbitration  —  Team can work out deals with Markakis, Scott and Sherrill  —  BALTIMORE — Three key Orioles filed for arbitration on Thursday, binding themselves to the team in the process.  George Sherrill, Nick Markakis and Luke Scott have all filed for arbitration …

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 …

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.

Red Sox give Kevin Youkilis four-year extension  —  Having missed out on signing free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox [team stats] have taken steps to hold onto the All-Star first baseman they already have.  —  The Sox and Kevin Youkilis [stats] have a four-year extension …