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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Hinske, Pirates agree to terms  —  Outfielder Eric Hinske and the Pirates have agreed to terms on the one-year contract, as of late this afternoon.  —  Financial details are not available, but the base salary is around $1.5 million.  —  Remember, as always, that no contract is signed until a physical is passed.

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 …

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 …

Bo, Deion among two-way stars  —  Let's play a little word association.  If I say “two-sport star,” what do you say?  —  Sure.  Deion Sanders.  Bo Jackson.  Michael Jordan.  —  OK, maybe not Michael Jordan (though he did give it a shot.)  But you might be surprised at how many athletes …

METS SIGN MAINE  —  The Mets have reached agreement with John Maine on a $2.6 million contract, avoiding arbitration, the Post has learned.  —  Maine also can earn $25,000 by pitching 200 innings.  —  Maine is coming off of surgery to remove spurs from his right shoulder.

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.

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.