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.

Gonzalez healthy for Spring Training  —  Shortstop missed 2008 season following left knee surgery  —  CINCINNATI — An examination of Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez's left knee on Saturday brought some positive news.  —  Gonzalez, who missed all of the 2008 season with a compression fracture …

Hot Stove Central  —  Follow the Hot Stove League all winter long and build your 2009 Yankee or Met dream lineup today.  Play Manager Now  —  It's A Madd, Madd World...  Say It Ain't So … Today's Top Picks … Best Of NYDN.com

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.

Pettitte, Yanks continue discussions  —  Club may pursue Sheets or fill fifth starter's role from within  —  NEW YORK — Details of the months-old standoff between Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have not changed much, but both sides maintain interest in a reunion.

Casey retiring, headed to MLB Network  —  Former Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey is officially retiring, having signed on with the MLB Network.  Casey, The 34-year-old, who played in 69 games with Boston last season, hitting .322, finishes his 12-season career with a .302 lifetime batting average …

Talking Yankees prospects  —  A look at New York's top 10 Minor Leaguers  —  Let's take a preseason tour of the Yankees farm system with the help of our friends at Baseball America and a Major League scout who specializes in scouting American League prospects.

Options to help beef up arms remain weak  —  Team needs more starting pitching going into spring training  —  Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin do not have their heads buried in the sand.  With three weeks to go before spring training begins, they realize the starting rotation is perilously thin.

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 …

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.

DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL  —  Tigers pitching coach: Kenny Rogers is retired  —  DETROIT — Kenny Rogers still has not made an official announcement in regard to whether he wants to pitch this season at age 44.  —  But new Detroit Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp, a long-time minor league teammate …