David Wells blasts Joe Torre, says he'd ‘knock him out’  —  David Wells didn't hold back when he was asked about Joe Torre's new book, “The Yankee Years,” on The Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN radio Thursday afternoon - and he may not hold back if he and Torre happen to cross paths.

Morning update on Varitek  —  If you've read the latest Jason Varitek update and are expecting an answer by 8:30 a.m., be advised: agent Scott Boras is based on the West Coast, which means an answer may not be coming until perhaps the middle of the day.  —  According to a source …

Yankees reached free-agent quota  —  Unless limit raised, Bombers cannot sign any more Type As or Bs  —  The most commonly held misconception of this offseason is that the Yankees could have signed pitcher Ben Sheets or could still sign left-fielder Manny Ramirez if only there were a few …

Mets sign Maine, avoiding arbitration  —  Right-hander reportedly agrees to one-year contract  —  The Mets avoided arbitration with John Maine by signing him to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million, according to the New York Post.  —  The deal for Maine, eligible for arbitration for the first time, gives him a significant raise.

Sources: O's, Cubs talking deal for Hill  —  Orioles reportedly in the lead among several teams to land Chicago LHP  —  The Orioles and Chicago Cubs are again involved in trade talks, this time about the Cubs' left-handed starter Rich Hill.  According to industry sources …

Orioles: Millar time is up  —  Talked to Kevin Millar tonight on my WBAL show and he confirmed that he has been told the Orioles definitely are going in a new direction and that he will not be coming back in a reserve role.  —  Not that it's a big surprise.

Several rules changes adopted for 2009 World Baseball Classic  —  The Steering Committee of World Baseball Classic, Inc. met today and approved several recommendations made by the tournament's Rules and Regulations Committee.  The following provisions will be in place in the 2009 World Baseball Classic:

Source: Ex-teammates to testify against Bonds … Former major league catcher Bobby Estalella is expected to provide significant testimony to support the government's contention that former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds knowingly took steroids, according to a source with knowledge of the evidence.

Martin changes name, attitude for '09  —  All-Star honoring mother, working on new ways of preparation  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have a new catcher this year, and we're not talking about backup Brad Ausmus.  —  As the lettering on the back of his jersey will attest this spring, it's …

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.

Pols call for Mets to scrap Citigroup naming rights deal  —  The Mets' new stadium, Citi Field, has drawn the ire of two members of the House of Representatives.  Citigroup is going through with its $400 million stadium naming-rights deal despite its financial troubles.  (Newsday / Viorel Flrescu)

Mets sign Armas, Kielty to minor league deals  —  NEW YORK — Four players coming off poor seasons agreed Thursday to minor league contracts with the New York Mets: outfielder Bobby Kielty, right-handers Tony Armas Jr. and Matt DeSalvo, and left-hander Valerio de los Santos.

Manny marchers take Manhattan  —  Chants of “Man-ny!  Man-ny!” drowned out the sound of traffic zipping up Sixth Ave.  Thursday night as rabid Mets fans gathered outside SportsNet New York's studios and mugged for the cameras, imploring the Wilpons and Omar Minaya to bring free agent Manny Ramirez to Queens.

The path to Cooperstown: the catchers  —  For my fourth annual THT column on position players and the Hall of Fame, I'm taking an in-depth look at a group not represented on this year's BBWAA ballot and with only one post-1920 representative on the Veterans' Committee ballot (Joe Torre …