Sources: Schilling, Sox near deal … Sources indicated that Curt Schilling [stats] and the Red Sox [team stats] were close to striking a deal which would bring the pitcher back to the defending world champions for one more season.  —  Schilling, when reached by phone last night …

Source: Maddux, Pads agree to one-year deal  —  SAN DIEGO — Greg Maddux will be back as the San Diego Padres' No. 3 starter next season after agreeing Monday to a $10 million, one-year contract, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  Maddux's return appeared to be a foregone conclusion …

Pettitte declines $16 million option with Yankees  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees, still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.  —  "I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner …

SCOTT-STOVE LEAGUE  —  RAYS MAY DANGLE KAZMIR - HEAR THAT, METS?  —  The free- agent market is deep in center fielders, Scott Boras clients and Grade C possibilities - and all of it is expected to be very expensive.  —  "It will be worse than a C [grade]," an NL executive countered.

2008 Top 50 Free Agents  —  Time for the second annual MLBTradeRumors.com Top 50 Free Agents list!  (You can see last year's here).  Check out the list of available free agents here.  —  1. Alex Rodriguez - Angels.  Keith Law recently termed the Angels a "ridiculously good fit" for A-Rod.

Torre hits L.A.; Mattingly, Bowa come with him  —  LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre pulled on his Dodger blue cap and gleaming white jersey, squinted into the California sun and immediately paid tribute to one of baseball's most successful franchises.  —  Flanked by Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda …

CF Schafer tearing up Fall League ... but too young?  —  He just turned 21 and hasn't played above the A-ball level, but Jordan Schafer is showing folks that he could be ready for the majors sooner than later — and perhaps sooner than most of us expected.  —  The kid is leading …

Fukudome Receives Two Offers From Chunichi Dragons  —  We have to consider the possibility that Kosuke Fukudome will remain in Japan.  He's not committed to MLB in any way.  In fact, he recently received two offers from his current team, the Chunichi Dragons.  One was a one-year deal, and the other a multiyear deal.

Monday Ten Pack  —  RHP Jake Arrieta, Phoenix Desert Dogs (Orioles)  —  Arrieta is becoming an offseason Ten Pack regular, as the Orioles keep pitching him an inning at a time, and he keeps putting up zeroes.  At this point it's gone from "nice start" to "downright impressive," …

Letter to fans from GM Huntington  —  Pirates name Russell as new Bucs skipper  —  Dear Pirates fans:  —  I am extremely excited to officially announce today that we have hired John Russell as the new manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  John's hiring is another significant step in the process …

Atlanta Braves  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Interview: Tim Marchman  —  One of the best writers in the city, Tim Marchman covers baseball for The New York Sun.  Last week, he was generous enough to sit down and answer some questions for MetsGeek about sportswriting, The Collapse, and his opinions on the team as the offseason begins.