The story behind The Yankee Years … SI.com: There has been some initial confusion over the authorship of this book.  Unlike your previous collaboration with Joe Torre, Chasing the Dream, written after the 1996 season, this is not a traditional as-told-to biography.

Sources: Rays agree to deal with LHP Shouse  —  Brian Shouse, a veteran left-handed reliever, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to baseball sources.  The deal is pending a physical exam, which he will take on Thursday.  —  Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games …

Pedro says he's received offers  —  Righty declines to identify bidders, but claims Mets not among them  —  The availability of Pedro Martinez as a free agent has prompted interest among big league clubs, according to the veteran right-hander.  With less than three weeks remaining …

Cooper ponders Astros' lineup  —  Skipper will use Spring Training to formulate his batting order  —  HOUSTON — Astros manager Cecil Cooper still envisions Michael Bourn as his leadoff hitter, but just not quite yet.  —  Bourn will hit elsewhere in the order when the season starts …

Giants could ultimately be in mix for Manny  —  Only Scott Boras knows for sure what offers Manny Ramirez may or may not have, but it appears that the San Francisco Giants are the only team standing between Ramirez and a capitulation that the slugger might feel is utterly embarrassing.

White Sox not chasing more high-priced talent  —  CHICAGO — Don't expect the Chicago White Sox to sign any free agents still on the market.  —  White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Saturday he doesn't see the need for more high-priced talent, especially with a roster full of young talent and a lousy economy.

Mariners showing an interest in Cubs' Hill  —  Conventional baseball wisdom says you can never have too many pitchers.  —  Apparently that's a belief that Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik carries with him.  —  The Mariners, who just completed a trade with the Cubs that landed …

Pinch hitting: Statistically Speaking  —  January is traditionally a slow month for baseball news.  So for the second year in a row, we will showcase other blogs with a series of pinch hitters.  —  Next up is Dan from Statistically Speaking.  —  Dan is a freshman business major at Cornell.

Sources: Varitek, Red Sox reach one-year deal  —  It took nearly three months, but the Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement to bring back catcher Jason Varitek on a one-year, $5 million contract, pending a physical and the execution of final details, two major league sources said Friday.