Sources: Boras asked Dodgers to increase offer to $55 million  —  And that, according to two well-placed sources with knowledge of the situation, is where the whole thing broke down.  This sources also said Boras never openly objected to any proposal by the Dodgers of deferred money …

Appeal is smart move in Bonds trial  —  Instead of going forward with a perjury and obstruction of justice trial against Barry Bonds on Monday, federal prosecutors in San Francisco decided Friday to appeal rulings that excluded much of their evidence.  Last week, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled …

Phillies release veteran Eaton  —  Right-hander has $9 million remaining on contract  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies released right-handed pitcher Adam Eaton on Friday.  —  Eaton, who makes $8.5 million this season, plus $500,000 on a club option for 2010, was not a candidate to win the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation.

Source: A-Rod has Sunday meeting with MLB … NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball officials on Sunday to discuss his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 while with Texas.

Villone signed to minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have signed former Yankees left-handed reliever Ron Villone to a minor-league contract.  Villone, 39, pitched for the Bombers from 2006-07 before going 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 74 games with the Cardinals last season.

Padres sign 29 to one-year contracts  —  Kouzmanoff among those to ink deals, will make nearly $440,000  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Padres took care of a little financial business on Friday when they signed 29 players to contracts for the 2009 season.  —  The pitchers who agreed to one-year deals …

Bale's blood work shows irregularities  —  Pitcher returns to KC for evaluation; Guillen progressing nicely  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Royals pitcher John Bale has returned to Kansas City for tests on his thyroid after irregularities were noted in blood work during a physical examination.

Percival on mend, eyes mound date  —  Rays closer feels ‘great,’ says he could pitch in a game right now  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — If anybody understands it's not how you open, it's how you close, Troy Percival is the guy.  —  After 13 Major League seasons, Percival knows the drill.

Frozen by fraud, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Darren Oliver feels for others  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Pitcher Darren Oliver made a wise professional decision this winter when he accepted a salary arbitration offer from the Los Angeles Angels and parlayed it into a one-year, $3.665 million contract amid a weak market for free agents.

Santana pushed back again; Mets lose, 9-8  —  Here's some news and notes in the wake of the Mets' 9-8 loss to the Cardinals today at Tradition Field.  — Johan Santana already had been scratched from today's start against Italy because of tightness in his left elbow and now it appears …