Pettitte, Yankees near 1-year deal  —  The New York Yankees and Andy Pettitte are close on a deal that will bring the veteran left-hander back for a year, Major League Baseball sources told Buster Olney on Monday.  —  Pettitte  —  The deal, sources told Olney, could be done as soon as Monday afternoon.

Revealing excerpt from Joe Torre's new book … So, do you want me to manage?  —  Joe Torre began the meeting with that simple question.  He was sitting in the Legends Field office of George Steinbrenner.  There was a time, as recently as only 24 months earlier, when Torre could look …

Royals sign Zack Greinke to a four-year contract through 2012  —  The Kansas City Royals today signed right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke to a four-year contract through the 2012 season.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.  —  The 25-year old Greinke …

Jays sign Lane, Fahey to Minors deals  —  Outfielder, infielder both receive invites to Spring Training  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays added a pair of players on Monday, signing outfielder Jason Lane and infielder Brandon Fahey to Minor League contracts that included invitations to attend Spring Training with the big league club.

Rangers, Byrd closing in on contract  —  Outfielder is last unsigned player on team to file for arbitration  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers are close to signing Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract that would avoid an arbitration hearing.  —  Byrd is the last unsigned Ranger who filed for arbitration.

It's The Hardball Times Season Preview 2009  —  Whether you're a fanatical fantasy player, or just want to see what's up with your favorite team, the THT Season Preview 2009 is just for you.  —  This annotated week in baseball history: Jan. 18-Jan. 24, 1972  —  Posted Friday by Richard Barbieri

MARBURY CONFIRMS OFFER FROM CELTICS  —  BLASTS KNICKS ‘KIDS GAMES’  —  The banished Stephon Marbury acknowledged for the first time yesterday he has a verbal commitment from the Celtics - and accused the Knicks of not accepting his latest buyout offer because they don't want him winning a championship in Boston.

Minor League Transactions  —  This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Jan. 17 to 23.  The previous installment is available here.  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Signed: C Alvin Colina  —  Baltimore Orioles  —  Traded: RHP Randor Bierd to Red Sox for RHP David Pauley

Outfield a question mark for Braves  —  Francoeur locked in right, but two spots empty as spring nears  —  ATLANTA — The Braves are just a little more than three weeks away from holding their first full squad workout, and as they enter January's final week, they still haven't finalized plans for two of their outfield spots.

Ladies and gentlemen: The MexHex  —  Introducing — and debunking? — a theory on Hernandez's curse  —  NEW YORK — So, you all were so sure you knew the reason for the Mets' collapses the last two seasons.  Blame it on the bullpen, you said; and the offense disappeared at the least opportune times.

What's the best BABIP estimator?  —  BABIP is a stat that lots of people like to throw around but many don't fully understand (even some who profess to be statistically inclined).  —  Background info  —  BABIP stands for Batting Average on Balls in Play.  It measures the rate at which balls in play fall in for hits.

Varitek, Boras mulling offer  —  While a source has confirmed that Jason Varitek would earn $5 million this year under terms of the Red Sox' latest offer — which includes a second-year option — the question now is whether the veteran catcher might be better served with a straight one-year deal instead.

Radomski says he took urine tests for Gooden  —  Convicted steroids dealer Kirk Radomski, the Long Island man who was one of the central witnesses in baseball's Mitchell Report, told ESPN's “Outside the Lines” Sunday that he twice took urine tests in place of Dwight Gooden when he was a clubhouse boy for the Mets.

NatsFest, Over And Out  —  The DC Sports Bog is always worth a read — shameless self-promotion alert! — but that's especially true when it's filled with quotes from a particular team president and general manager.  Some of these quotes are about George Steinbrenner and soiled pants.