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 …

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.

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.

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.

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)

PEDRO PLANS TO USE WBC AS LAST AUDITION  —  Pedro Martinez's plan is to pitch in the World Baseball Classic and reveal what he can still offer a major league team in 2009, The Post has learned.  —  Martinez is a free agent, but if the legendary ace doesn't have a team by spring training, the WBC will act as his audition.

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.

Ridiculed extra-inning rule to be used in World Baseball Classic  —  NEW YORK — The ridiculed international rule to start an extra inning with two runners on base will be used at this year's World Baseball Classic, where it will be implemented beginning in the 13th inning.

Giambis Are Likely to Testify at Bonds's Trial  —  Federal prosecutors plan on having Jason Giambi and his brother Jeremy testify at Barry Bonds's perjury trial in March in an effort to bolster the case against baseball's embattled career home run leader.  —  Specifically, the prosecutors …

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 …

WHIFF PROFILE: AARON HEILMAN  —  On Wednesday, the Mariners and Cubs brokered a three-player deal involving one of the biggest trading chips of the offseason, Aaron Heilman.  His stock bottomed-out following a tumultuous 2008 season, when he and the rest of the Mets bullpen seemed destined to fail every time out.

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 …