Dealings would need 'abrupt change' to beat deadline  —  After all the hoopla surrounding the $51.1 million bid the Red Sox posted to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka, it appears a contract may not materialize.  —  Negotiations between the team and the Japanese star pitcher have nearly broken down, the Boston Herald reported Sunday.

Family Supports Pettitte's Return to Yankees  —  After the veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte and the Houston Astros reached the World Series in 2005, he figured he would pitch only one more year because he did not expect his arm to hold up.  —  When Pettitte, 34, became a free agent …

Jennings mum as trade talks swirl  —  His loyalty and negotiating tactics questioned by Rockies owner Charlie Monfort, Jason Jennings chose Saturday to suppress his anger, even as a trade grew more likely.  —  "It's just best right now if my only quote is 'no comment,"' said Jennings, a free agent at season's end.

Brewers continue to field questions about 2007 squad  —  As the Milwaukee Brewers slowly unveil their seemingly convoluted and somewhat risky plan to field a team for the 2007 season, two questions are asked most often by skeptical, anxious fans:  —  1. If you have a shortstop who hit 35 home runs …

On one level, Meche deal makes sense  —  Time to defend the indefensible:  —  Gil Meche, five years, $55 million.  —  On the insanity scale, it's right there with all of the other off-season doozies — three years, $19 million for Danys Baez; five years, $50 million for Gary Matthews Jr. …

A vote for Mac, truth  —  Send him to Cooperstown, just don't forget juicy tidbits  —  The Hall of Fame ballot is in the mail, and I voted for Mark McGwire.  —  This was no easy decision, and I understand those who would leave him off.  There are many reasons to do so …

With power low, Colletti must work the phones  —  "Can you hear me?"  —  Yes.  —  "CAN YOU HEAR ME?"  —  Um, yes, I can hear you.  —  "Oh, oh, OK," Ned Colletti says.  "Just walked out of the store with this new cellphone.  I have no idea how it works."  —  A new cellphone?

Expanding their reach statewide  —  The Devil Rays are trying to grab a larger share of the Florida market, with plans for moving a series against the Rangers to Orlando.  —  kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA - Florida ultimately might prove big enough to support more than one major-league franchise.

Winter of 'roids  —  Juice abusers end up being big winners at this year's meetings  —  One can only imagine the sick feeling that overcame Bud Selig as he monitored the winter meetings in Disney World, where old-fashioned trades were eschewed by clubs in favor of spending silly money on mediocre pitching.

Bell fires back at Ricciardi  —  Not impressed with comments about Meche  —  Remember when the Blue Jays and the Kansas City Royals were hated rivals in 1985?  —  They may be reaching that level again.  —  After the Royals landed free-agent Gil Meche to a five-year, $55 million deal …