Movement in Varitek talks?  —  Roughly three months after the end of their 2008 season and fewer than three weeks before the start of spring training, the Red Sox have made a formal proposal to catcher Jason Varitek that could end a winter-long stalemate.  —  One way or the other.

Amaro: Eaton not an option; Add Wigginton to your list of names  —  Well, this should just about settle any talk about Adam Eaton's role, or lack thereof.  —  Asked today whether Adam Eaton had any chance at establishing himself as the Phillies' No. 5 starter, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, well, no.

Glavine may look to sign with Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — Left-hander Tom Glavine's preference is to return to the Braves for the 2009 season.  But if the parties don't reach an agreement, Glavine would have interest in joining the Nationals because of his close relationship with team president Stan Kasten …

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!

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 …

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 …

Cano and Bernie  —  Just came from Bernie Williams' Hillside Food Outreach Dinner at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle.  Robinson Cano was a special guest, or rather is a special guest, since we talked to the two guys before the dinner actually began.

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 …

Reds' Gonzalez to be ready for spring training  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez and his injured knee have been given the green light for spring training.  —  Gonzalez missed all of last season with a compression fracture in his left knee.

Sarah's Take: Bring on the season  —  Dodgers ready to take on the challenges of 2009  —  In less than a month, the Dodgers will begin their new season filled with new challenges on their way to the ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship.  The Dodgers don't know how they will meet …

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 …

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 …

Ex-Yankee Raines's New Job Is to Make Bears Winners  —  ON the January morning that the Newark Bears celebrated their rebirth, a cold, hard rain pelted their ballpark, leaving the outfield to dozens of Canada geese hunting for a late breakfast.  It was not a day for one baseball game, let alone two.