Toughest call of his career is on Varitek's plate  —  Jason Varitek is trying to make a very tough decision.  —  “He's deliberating what he wants to do,” said his agent, Scott Boras.  —  And that deliberation has to include the very difficult reality of possible retirement.

If Frank McCourt's L.A. Dodgers go for $2 billion, Fred Wilpon's NY Mets could be worth more  —  Franchise values in baseball are about to take a quantum leap  —  Frank McCourt seen here in happier times as the L.A. Dodgers introduce Joe Torre as skipper in 2007.

Cora nearing Minors deal with Cardinals  —  Veteran infielder Alex Cora is close to agreeing on a Minor League deal with the Cardinals, according to an industry source.  —  The Cardinals did not confirm the report.  —  Cora, 36, saw action at first base, second base …

10 things I didn't know about one-hitters  —  My last column here at THT was on the men least likely to break up a full-length (nine innings pitched or more) no-hitter by getting their team's sole hit of the day.  In all, I looked up nearly 1,000 games from 1919 onward to produce that list.

Nationals sign Rick Ankiel to minors deal  —  The Nationals have signed free-agent OF Rick Ankiel to a minor league contract, according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.  —  Last weekend, Andy Martino of the Daily News said the Mets were looking at Ankiel, Kosuke Fukudome, Raul Ibanez …

Wife of Yankees GM files for divorce after latest cheating allegations  —  She's cashing out.  —  The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman filed for divorce yesterday — a day after her husband was publicly accused of a second affair, this time with a woman who has been charged with shaking him down, The Post has learned.

SWIMSUIT COLLECTION  —  IN CRIME-RIDDEN VENEZUELA, EVERY CELEBRITY IS A POTENTIAL TARGET AND BASEBALL STARS HAVE BECOME AN INVITING MARK.  NATIONALS CATCHER WILSON RAMOS IS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES—HE SURVIVED HIS KIDNAPPING.  BUT HE KNOWS THAT ESCAPING POVERTY AND FULFILLING MAJOR LEAGUE DREAMS …

MLBTR: Mets won with Santana trade, lost with contract  —  Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLB Trade Rumors recently tweeted the following: … David Lennon of Newsday later pointed out that the Mets have paid $3.44 million for each of Johan Santana's wins to date.

Nats' Rizzo: Bryce can make team; others unsure  —  Nationals manager Davey Johnson has been telling anyone who'll listen he wants slugging teen-aged phenom Bryce Harper to start the season with the big-league team.  And while most folks around baseball think that's a reach …