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 add Hollins; Mets sign Mackowiak to minor-league deal  —  The World Champion Phillies added more bench depth as well, signing Damon Hollins to a $450,000 minor league contract, $65,000 of which is guaranteed.  He can request his release if not on the 25-man roster by July 1 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

PETTITTE RETURN TO ASTROS UNLIKELY  —  OWNER DOESN'T EXPECT TO ENTER BIDDING  —  HOUSTON - As the Astros were celebrating the development of a new youth academy Friday, owner Drayton McLane was talking about the possibility of Andy Pettitte returning to the team and whether he expects Roger Clemens at spring training.

Recession makes bear market smell fishy  —  Buzz up!  —  It takes only a few seconds to sign a contract, even in a huff, and then there'd still be plenty of time to fire the agent before reporting to Viera or Tucson or wherever.  —  It's not yet February, but you can see it from here …

Mariners unveil new slogan at luncheon  —  Club sees potential after changes in players and front office  —  SEATTLE — A New Day.  A New Way.  —  The Mariners' marketing slogan for the 2009 season, made public for the first time on Thursday during the annual pre-Spring Training media luncheon …

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 …

Is Barry Larkin a Hall of Famer?  A look at Retrosheet-era shortstops  —  I did a quick little study based on an e-mail conversation this week, so I decided to post it.  What follows is a look at all Retrosheet-Era Hall of Fame shortstops, plus the best of the others that came to mind.

Newhan could be back in mix for Astros IF spot  —  Wade on budget: ‘no more to cover anything of significance’  —  David Newhan, who hit .260 in 64 games with the Astros last year, could be rejoining the team with a minor-league contract by early next week, general manager Ed Wade said.