Matsuzaka wants $11M per year; Sox offering $8M  —  COSTA MESA, Calif. — Pessimism from both sides of these Daisuke Matsuzaka talks rules the day, or early morning, but talks are not dead and the deadline is still not until Thursday (in case you hadn't heard).

Sox want D-Mat's answer  —  NEWPORT BEACH, Calif - The Red Sox [team stats] made it clear last night to Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matzusaka and his agent Scott Boras that if Matsuzaka is not on owner John Henry's private jet today when it leaves Southern California, there is no chance of a deal getting done, according to a source.

Team had to know how game is played  —  The hours are dwindling to a precious few, and Daisuke Matsuzaka remains unsigned.  If midnight Thursday comes and he remains so, we can then indulge in one of modern America's favorite rituals: The Blame Game.  —  There's nothing new about The Blame Game.

Cardinals still need several more starters  —  The Winter Meetings are dead, mourned and buried, but the St. Louis Cardinals still have much work to do.  —  They may have the World Series trophy, but they don't have a full rotation.  That's noteworthy because their options — the serious options …

Rangers relieved: Gagne on way  —  ARLINGTON - The Rangers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $6 million with reliever Eric Gagne pending a physical, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed Tuesday.  The contract includes incentives up to $5 million.