Madden: Big-name veterans getting shut out this winter  —  Yo, Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Orlando Hudson, Jon Garland!  It's Jan. 25!  Hey, Adam Dunn, Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson, Jason Varitek, there are only 19 more days till pitchers and catchers report to spring training!

What's up with Ken Griffey Jr,?  —  So what's up with George Kenneth Griffey Jr., the man most loved and and most despised by Cincinnati Reds fans - with Adam Dunn a close second in both categories.  —  Griffey doesn't need to have anybody, “Show me the money,” and he and isn't looking …

Starting Pitcher: Mets up Offer to Oliver Perez  —  Last night, on MLB Network's Hot Stove Show, SI.com's Tom Verducci said Omar Minaya would like to reach an agreement with Oliver Perez by the end of the weekend.  —  According to Jon Heyman, also of SI.com, the Mets have increased their initial offer …

Phils' Utley plans to be ready by Opening Day  —  PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley says his rehab from hip surgery is on schedule, and the Philadelphia Phillies second baseman expects to be ready by Opening Day.  —  Utley  —  Utley, who underwent right hip surgery Nov. 24, said Saturday he is just weeks away from starting to swing a bat.

Yanks to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs  —  Players to sign autographs at March 24 event in Tampa  —  The Yankees will put down their bats and pick up their pens again this spring, signing autographs to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay on March 24.  —  All of the Yankees' biggest names …

Gammons: WBC a concern for pitchers  —  This week, the Cubs learned Carlos Marmol was pitching in the Dominican Republic, working feverishly to ready himself to pitch for his country in the World Baseball Classic.  —  Wonderful.  Here's a 26-year-old with dazzling talent …

Tear Down Stadium and Build Up the Bronx  —  Months after its rousing and official farewell, old Yankee Stadium stands strong, proud and in one piece, shuttered but not altogether silenced.  —  Twenty-two days until pitchers and catchers, its message board atop the outer wall reminded passers …

A's work to lock in Duchscherer, add Springer  —  The Oakland Athletics' efforts Saturday appear to have gone a long way toward shoring up their pitching staff.  —  Springer  —  Duchscherer  —  Oakland and right-handed starter Justin Duchscherer, the club's last remaining roster player eligible …

Sheets poster boy for unsettled offseason  —  It wasn't that long ago that the Seattle Mariners gave Carlos Silva a four-year, $48 million deal, and it wasn't that long ago that Miguel Batista got $25 million over three years, and Jeff Suppan signed a four-year, $42 million contract.

Hillman likes what he sees at minicamp  —  Royals manager hosts group of infielders at Texas home  —  KANSAS CITY — Camp Hillman was a success for the troop leader, Royals manager Trey Hillman.  —  Hillman had eight infielders on his little spread at Liberty Hill, Texas …

MET SIGN MACKOWIAK  —  In a continuing effort to collect spare, lefty-hitting outfielders, the Mets have signed Rob Mackowiak to a minor league contract, the Post has learned.  —  If Mackowiak makes the team he will have a base salary of $600,000 and he has a chance to earn an additional $200,000 …

O's working on extension for Roberts  —  All-Star second baseman's contract expires after ‘09 season  —  BALTIMORE — Brian Roberts may not have been at the news conference to announce the Orioles’ six-year contract extension for Nick Markakis on Thursday, but he was there in spirit.

Slow-Moving Construction  —  I'm not quite mad as hell.  And I can probably take it a little longer.  —  However, my fuse is getting short when I think about the Lerners' poor stewardship of the Nationals.  In a week or two, if the Nats have refused to spend appropriately on free agents …