Pettitte holding onto his pinstripes  —  Veteran left-hander agrees to incentive-laden, one-year deal  —  NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte never needed to hear the offers that might have awaited him in free agency.  He had decided that by the time winter turned to spring, he would have somehow wound up back with the Yankees.

Varitek deadline set for Saturday  —  Jason Varitek filed for free agency more than three months ago.  By the end of the day Saturday, we should all know whether the Red Sox catcher and captain will be returning to the team this year.  —  A baseball source confirmed this morning that the Red Sox …

Pirates add Fogg-like pitcher Vasquez  —  Hearing dates set for McLouth, Maholm; payroll near $50 million  —  If there is a familiar feel to the statistics of Virgil Vasquez, the pitcher the Pirates claimed off waivers yesterday from the Detroit Tigers, there probably is a reason …

Starting Pitcher: Rangers, Brewers and Perez  —  Last night on MLB Network's Hot Stove Show, SI.com's Jon Heyman said there are ‘rumblings’ that the Rangers and Brewers are interested in free-agent LHP Oliver Perez.  —  However, Heyman still believes Perez and the Mets will eventually work out a deal …

Astros sign Rodriguez, Geary to one-year deals  —  Club avoids arbitration with pair of pitchers  —  Meeting their deadline to work out deals before having to hunker down for arbitration hearings, the Astros signed starting lefthander Wandy Rodriguez and reliever Geoff Geary to one-year contracts.

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 …

Brewers re-sign infielder Counsell  —  Veteran passes physical and finalizes one-year contract  —  MILWAUKEE — Craig Counsell will be back for a fourth season with his hometown team.  —  The veteran infielder passed a physical exam on Monday and finalized a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Brewers.

Atkins' hearing date a secret; Fogg still possible addition  —  The Rockies feel like Garrett Atkins' asked for too much in arbitration with his $7.95 million request.  Colorado countered with a $6.65 million.  —  “Either way, it's going to be a lot of money and I will be happy,” Atkins admitted.

Draft Strategy: Park Factoring  —  One of the common misconceptions when it comes to “park factors” is that the quality of a team's lineup and pitching staff drives the number.  For instance, whenever I write that Michael Young is overrated in part because his offensive stats have been padded …

Will Ryan Howard Win His Arbitration Case?  —  There's little denying that Ryan Howard has been a league-leader since being called up from the minors.  NL Rookie-of-the Year in 2005, NL MVP and All-Star in 2006, 5th in NL MVP voting in 2007, and 2nd in NL MVP voting last year, he's racked up a collection of awards.

Justice, Gooden deny Radomski's allegations  —  David Justice and Dwight Gooden denied allegations made by former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski during an exclusive interview with “Outside the Lines” on Sunday.  Radomski told ESPN that Justice lied about knowing him and purchasing …

Peavy deal could follow Cubs sale  —  Friars ace may be on move once Chicago changes ownership  —  A previously discussed trade of All-Star right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy from the Padres to the Cubs is expected to be revived once the sale of the Chicago club is finalized later this spring, sources close to the situation told MLB.com.

The details on Pettitte's deal  —  Base salary: $5.5 million.  —  Innings bonuses: $500,000 each for 150, 160 and 170 innings pitched and $750,000 each for 180, 190, 200 and 210 innings.  —  Roster bonuses: $100,000 for 120 days on the active 25-man roster, $200,000 for 130 days …