Ricketts family is winning Cubs bidder: $900M  —  After nearly two years of intrigue, the billionaire Ricketts family has emerged as the winning bidder to purchase the Chicago Cubs from Tribune Co. for about $900 million, sources close to the situation said this evening.

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.

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.

Mets Not Interested in Free-Agent Manny Ramirez, Wilpon Says  —  Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) — The New York Mets aren't interested in signing free-agent Manny Ramirez, according to the team's chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon.  —  Wilpon said General Manager Omar Minaya hasn't proposed adding the outfielder …

It's a crime that Keith Hernandez isn't in the Hall of Fame … Go to the water cooler, any water cooler on any day, gurgle the words “baseball” and “Hall of Fame,” and before long you'll have a fight on your hands.  This year especially.  I'm still hearing it:

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.

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.

Slow market doesn't worry Gonzalez  —  Veteran confident he can help out a team, but also realistic  —  MIAMI — From his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., Luis Gonzalez is staying busy around ballparks.  Every other day, he alternates between taking his son to baseball practice and his daughters to softball.

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.

Werber, former teammate of Ruth, dead at 100 … CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Werber, who was the oldest living ex-major leaguer and a teammate of Babe Ruth, died Thursday.  He was 100.  —  Werber, a career .271 hitter who led the American League in stolen bases three times, played with Ruth …

Brewers Blog  —  The Journal Sentinel sports staff brings fans the latest news and inside dope on the Brewers  —  Counsell might be back  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  I just asked Doug Melvin at the press conference who will be this year's Craig Counsell …

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen  —  This was one of the most entertaining e-mails I've received in a long time.  There's a fan out there, Chris Pavia, who has captured the essence of Bob Sheppard and the late Eddie Layton with terrific impersonations of both.

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 …