Pirates manager: Russell the choice?  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates have settled on their next manager but aren't ready to say who it is.  —  There were strong indications Friday night that the choice was former Pirate third-base coach John Russell.  —  Russell, 46, who was on the Pirates staff in 2003-05 …

Sources: A-Rod was seeking $350M from Yankees … Before Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, the team was told that it would not be able to meet with the third baseman unless it presented an offer of at least $350 million, sources say.

Marlins name Mark Wiley pitching coach  —  MIAMI — The Florida Marlins today named Mark Wiley their pitching coach, completing the coaching staff for the 2008 season.  The announcement was made by Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest.  —  "Mark [Wiley] is an accomplished …

Mariners decline 2008 options on Guillen, Reitsma  —  SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners declined their contract options for 2008 on right fielder Jose Guillen and oft-injured reliever Chris Reitsma.  —  Guillen could still be back.  He wants a multiyear contract and not the one-year …

Blue Jays sign Canadian slugger Matt Stairs to a two-year deal  —  TORONTO - His first multi-year deal in nearly a decade, a prominent role with the 2008 Toronto Blue Jays and the chance to finish out his career in Canada was pretty much all Matt Stairs could have asked for in his latest contract.

Notes: Jenkins speaks on departure  —  Outfielder leaves door open for a return tour with Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE — Geoff Jenkins' career with the Brewers is over for now, but he does not believe it is over for good.  —  "I would love to come back there," Jenkins said this week, after the Brewers declined his 2008 option.

Bill James: MLB's Top 50 Young Players  —  Groundbreaking analyst Bill James, senior baseball operations advisor for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, has published this provocative Young Talent Inventory in The Bill James Handbook 2008, available as of Nov. 1, 2007.

2003 Sox opening letter.  —  Here is the letter that arrived at our home a few hours prior to Theo, Jed and Larry opening up negotiations.  Theo said he didn't have a problem with it being published and I think it's a pretty significant look into how the ownership and baseball operations people here in Boston do business.

Yankees pick up Abreu's option  —  The Yankees have picked up the $16 million option for 2008 on right  —  fielder Bobby Abreu.  A person informed of the decision, who asked not to  —  be named since the Yankees had not yet made an announcement, confirmed  —  the move today.

Griffey Jr. would answer Atlanta's center field questions  —  Atlanta Journal Constitution columnist Terence Moore said the Atlanta Braves can solve their center field dilemma with Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds.  Griffey would be a solution until the future outfield prospects …

Sosa wants to return to MLB, but seeks $7M deal  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Sammy Sosa wants to play in the majors next year, provided a team offers him a contract for at least $7 million.  —  Sosa hit 21 home runs with 92 RBIs this season with Texas.

Kent's 2008 plans remain a mystery  —  Dodgers' most productive hitter shares an agent with Torre  —  LOS ANGELES — We know Joe Torre will be managing the Dodgers, we just don't know who those Dodgers will be.  —  And the unknowns aren't only the players the Dodgers could get, such as Alex Rodriguez.

Ex-Met says LIJ used his story without permission  —  After having shoulder surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, former Mets star Ed Kranepool spoke glowingly of his doctor.  —  "I couldn't have asked for better," Kranepool said in the spring newsletter of the hospital's parent company …

Minor League Free Agents  —  The following 602 players were declared free agents following the 2007 season, as provided by Major League Baseball.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks (12)  —  Righthanders: Jeff Bajenaru, D.J. Carrasco, Chad Harville, Donald Julio, Mike Schultz  —  Lefthander: Hipolito Guerrero