Yankees mulling confidentiality agreements  —  The Yankees are considering including a “non-disparagement clause” in future player and managerial contracts in order to prevent any more tell-all books such as “The Yankee Years,” co-written by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci.

Great Balls of Fire  —  Why is this man hot?  —  One of my favorite moments in the Verducci/Torre book is about Roger Clemens as he prepared to face the Mets in Game 2 of the 2000 World Serious.  Verducci writes that Clemens' usual pregame preparation included taking a whirlpool bath at the hottest temperature possible.

Abreu, others, might soon swallow pride  —  As recently as a week ago, the asking price on Bobby Abreu was said to be locked in place, a three-year deal for something in the neighborhood of $16 million a year.  But those numbers were based on appraisals made before the motor companies got a bailout …

Is Baseball Really Recession-Proof?  —  “I've lived through a lot of economic recessions in my day.  I've never seen anything like this.  And neither has anybody else. ...  And so while, in the past, I've felt baseball was recession-proof, this is different.”  —Bud Selig

Mets still interested in bringing Pedro back in '09 … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya says the club is interested in signing pitcher Pedro Martinez to a new contract.  —  The Mets' four-year, $53 million deal with Martinez expired after last season.

Mariners Acquire LHP Garrett Olson, INF Ronny Cedeno From Cubs  —  Seattle sends RHP Aaron Heilman to Chicago  —  SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik today announced that the club has acquired left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson …

Pirates, Maholm agree to 3-year deal  —  The Pirates and their top pitcher, Paul Maholm, this morning reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, plus a club option for a fourth, with only a physical remaining until there is a signing.  That is expected today or tomorrow.  —  More details to come.

Marlins Sign Calero, Standridge  —  The Marlins have signed right-handed relievers Kiko Calero and Jason Standridge to minor-league contracts and extended non-roster invitations to the two pitchers.  —  Calero, 34, is an intriguing acquisition, having amassed significant playing time with St. Louis and Oakland from 2003-07.

Former Mets pitcher Jack Fisher reflects at Shea Stadium  —  Jack Fisher clutched an umbrella in his right hand - the hand that threw the first pitch at Shea Stadium in 1964 - as he bid a sad farewell Wednesday to the ballpark to which his name will forever be linked.

Escobar Excites With D In Venezuela  —  Milwaukee's Double-A Huntsville club was a nightmare for Southern League pitchers in 2008.  —  Huntsville routinely rolled out a prospect-heavy lineup, mixing in Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel, Angel Salome, Michael Brantley, Lorenzo Cain and Cole Gillespie throughout the season.

Baseball's Hall of Fame has taken too many hits  —  (01-28) 18:59 PST — Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are going into the Baseball Hall of Fame!  —  In the words of Matt Foley, Chris Farley's motivational-speaker character, “Well, whooptie-frikkin'-doo.”  —  Not that Henderson and Rice …

A Curt Look at a Hall of Fame Career  —  “I'd like to think I did well.  I'd like to think that, if I had a must-win game, the guys I played with would want me to have the ball.  But no, I don't think I deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.”  - Curt Schilling, January 29 on WEEI AM 850's “The Big Show”

Benoit may be lost for season  —  Rangers righty has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers, still over two weeks away from Spring Training, have suffered another major setback in their pitching staff.  —  Right-hander Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery on Tuesday …