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.

Jeter Owns Up to Taking Stadium Souvenir  —  Tampa, Fla. — Derek Jeter came clean Wednesday night.  He pilfered the Joe DiMaggio sign, as I suspected.  —  When I had last seen Jeter before covering the kickoff party to his celebrity golf classic for his Turn 2 Foundation at the Saddlebrook Resort …

Varitek, Sox in stare down  —  With only hours remaining before a team-mandated deadline, the Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek seem caught in a stare down that could produce an unhappy ending for both the player and club.  —  According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept …

Can Braves afford Abreu?  Ohman?  Glav?  —  On the eve of the opening session of the Braves' voluntary early pitching camp, it's time to assess the team's remaining priority (besides signing Will Ohman, the blog hopes) as we taxi on the runway before spring training.

Many ways for Series to become Super  —  Here at Rumblings and Grumblings, we know exactly what the World Series is — namely, the most historic championship extravaganza in sports.  —  We also know precisely what the Super Bowl is — namely, the most convenient sports excuse ever invented to goof off …

Mariners sign Mike Sweeney  —  It's a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.  Sweeney has Tacoma connections and I know has always had interest in playing for the Mariners.  His wife, the daughter of former major-leaguer Jim Nettles (who is brother of Graig Nettles) is from the Tacoma area.

Pena “feels great” after abdominal surgery, plans to be ready for spring training with Tampa Bay Rays  —  UPDATE, 4:55: Pena said he is “recovering well” and “feels great,” that he went through a full workout including hitting on Wednesday with no problems, and there is “zero percent chance” …

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

Pujols wants Cardinals to pursue Manny Ramirez  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -Albert Pujols is encouraging the St. Louis Cardinals to sign Manny Ramirez.  —  The Cardinals slugger, who won his second NL MVP award in November, acknowledged the team might not have enough money to land the free-agent outfielder.

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.

San Francisco Giants  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …

UnBusted Prospects  —  One of the bigger issues of disagreement between the statistical community and the mainstream media is the predictive power of minor league performance.  It's still widely believed that minor league statistics aren't very useful, and that there is a significant collection …

Crede drawing new offers; Twins on hold  —  Free agent third baseman Joe Crede looked good in Wednesday's workout in Arizona, triggering some new contract offers, but none so far from the Twins, an insider told the Star Tribune today.  —  The Twins had Sean Johnson, their Western Scouting Supervisor …

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 …

Minaya may be looking at Pedro  —  Report states that GM expressed interest to pitcher's agent  —  A report out of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday says Mets general manager Omar Minaya has expressed interest in re-signing Pedro Martinez.  The report by The Associated Press cites no source …