Varitek, Sox agree to deal  —  The prolonged negotiations between Jason Varitek and the Red Sox have been resolved, with the catcher agreeing to a contract that will keep him with the club for a 13th season — and perhaps beyond.  —  Varitek, the popular Red Sox captain who is often praised …

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 …

Yankees sign Bruney  —  There will be no arbitration cases as Brian Bruney agreed to a one-year contract.

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)

Torre to appear on ‘Larry King Live’  —  Dodgers skipper to give first long-form interview on new book  —  NEW YORK — He doesn't have the answers yet, only an inkling of what they may be.  But Larry King does have plenty of questions, and, regarding his next interview subject, a curiosity perhaps keener than most.

Mets sign Maine, avoid arbitration  —  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 …

Opinion: Manny-Mania hits New York City  —  Last night, a group of 30 die-hard Mets fans gathered outside the SNY studios, on air during the network's Mets Hot Stove show, in what they described as the Million Manny March, while chanting, “Manny, Manny,” with some carrying signs …

Cubs, catcher Paul Bako agree to terms on 2009 contract  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and catcher Paul Bako have agreed to terms on a 2009 contract.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  —  Bako, 36, last season set career highs with 30 runs scored, 35 RBI and six home runs in 99 games with the Cincinnati Reds.

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.

FBI questioned Nitkowski in Clemens probe  —  NEW YORK — Former Yankees pitcher C.J. Nitkowski was interviewed nearly two weeks ago by federal agents as part of their investigation into whether Roger Clemens committed perjury when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

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.

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.

He throws a strike at Angels  —  MORNING READ: A farmhand writes about his year in A-ball.  —  Recommend  —  On the greatest day of his life, Matt McCarthy took a call from a Major League baseball scout named Byron, who told him he had been drafted to play baseball for the Angels.