Varitek talks moving slowly  —  Representatives for the Red Sox and Jason Varitek are continuing to talk in the wake of the catcher's meeting with owner John Henry last week, but the sides appear no closer to a deal than they have been for weeks.  —  But the closer the Sox get to spring training, the more likely that will all change.

Troy Glaus has shoulder surgery, could miss 12 weeks  —  Two days after appearing at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up, third baseman Troy Glaus underwent right shoulder surgery Wednesday that likely will make him unavailable Opening Day, the club announced today.

Law: 2009 organizational rankings  —  Keith Law ranks the farm systems for all 30 teams, from the Rangers at No. 1 to the Astros at No. 30.

Jon Heyman: These teams are the most likely to get deals done … The 100 or so free agents who remain free, including stars (or near stars) like all-time great slugging savant Manny Ramirez plus Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Oliver Perez and Ben Sheets, shouldn't fret.  Not yet.

Jeff Can't Make Hall of Fame  —  Not sure if you saw it, but former Met great Jeff Kent retired yesterday.  Now we ask, is he a Hall of Famer?  —  There's a guy who works here at The Daily News who insists Kent is Cooperstown bound.  No doubt about it, he says.  I hear the same sentiment on radio and TV.

Kent bids farewell as a player  —  Retires after 17 seasons as top home run hitter at second base  —  LOS ANGELES — Fighting the emotions caused by putting an end to a 17-year Major League career, Jeff Kent recalled an important lesson he learned during those years.

Henry Blanco  —  Yesterday the Padres announced the signing of veteran catcher Henry Blanco to a one-year deal.  —  Throughout the off-season we have been discussing the idea of bringing in a veteran catcher who could help mentor both our young catchers and our young starting pitchers.

MacPhail: Markakis was top priority  —  Orioles right fielder pleased with direction club is headed  —  BALTIMORE — Moments before Nick Markakis dragged his pen across his new contract, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail pronounced his offseason a success.

Fielder, Brewers closing in on two-year deal  —  Star first baseman Prince Fielder and the Brewers are closing in on a two-year contract.  An announcement could come as early as today, SI.com has learned.  —  Fielder submitted an arbitration figure of $8 million while the team submitted $6 million …

Why the Mets Have No Money (and No Manny)  —  One of the more interesting conundrums in sports is how the New York Mets have less money to spend on ballplayers than their crosstown big brother, the New York Yankees.  It boggles the mind further when you realize the Mets' budget is below …

Reds done shopping for the winter  —  Payroll likely to remain approximately $74 million in 2009  —  Reds Spring Training opens in just over 22 days, but the roster you see when camp starts on Feb. 14 should look just like the one you see now.  —  The Reds have hit the maximum they want to spend …

Best outfield arms of 2008  —  There is something about an outfielder with a cannon arm that captures our imagination, isn't there?  I guess it's not too surprising: Plays involving a crucial throw from the outfield are among the most important and exciting in the game.

Cubs closer to new owner  —  CHICAGO — Tribune Co. has chosen a favorite among three finalists to buy the Cubs, according to the Chicago Tribune, and appears to be winding down a lengthy search for a new owner.  —  The paper, citing a source close to the situation, reported that the company gave …

Kent officially retires … LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jeff Kent is retiring after a 17-year major league career.  —  The 40-year-old second baseman announced his decision Thursday during a news conference at Dodger Stadium.  —  Kent leaves as the career home-run leader among second basemen with 351, 74 more than Ryne Sandberg.