Torre will write book on Yankee years  —  Joe Torre's messy divorce from the Yankees seemed as if it were covered more extensively than the last presidential election.  But for those who need more of the lurid details and wish to relive the glory of the "Torre Era" in the Bronx …

Waiting on Lowell  —  ORLANDO— Most of the GMs looking for a third baseman were waiting to see whether Mike Lowell would accept Boston's three-year offer (money offer is unknown at this time), which has been out there for a couple of days and may be firm.  If he takes it, it sets the ball rolling …

Players' union worried about collusion over A-Rod  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The baseball players' union is worried commissioner Bud Selig is trying to hold down the price of Alex Rodriguez's next contract and that teams might be sharing information about their free-agent plans.

11 free agents in Mitchell report  —  ORLANDO — Player agents who attended yesterday's union meeting in New York were told that 11 current free agent players are named in the George Mitchell report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, which could come out sometime around …

Rays usher in new era with new identity  —  Costner leads celebration introducing franchise's altered image  —  ST. PETERSBURG — A palpable vibe reflecting a new beginning resonated throughout Straub Park on Thursday afternoon, where the Devil Rays officially became the Rays …

Astros acquire Bourn, Costanzo, Geary from Philadelphia  —  Phillies receive Lidge, Bruntlett  —  HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros today acquired outfielder Michael Bourn, third baseman Michael Costanzo, and right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange …

Santana Could Fill a Big Hole for the Yanks  —  The general managers meetings are the appetizer of the baseball off-season, a chance for teams to gauge the market for trades and free agents.  The winter meetings next month will be more intense, and with Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins expected …

MacPhail satisfied with work at GM meetings  —  Club doesn't make any deals, but O's executive says information collected will pay off in future  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail departed the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort …

Marlins targeting Torrealba to fill need at catcher  —  Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba (front) and Manny Corpas watch from the dugout during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Boston Red Sox.  (AP Photo/David J. Phillip / October 28, 2007)

Ordonez named Tiger of the Year  —  Prolific season one of the best in club history  —  DETROIT — This was one MVP-type award where Magglio Ordonez didn't have to worry about Alex Rodriguez.  —  The Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America made its Tiger …

Texas Rangers may find CF hard to bag  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Rangers general manager Jon Daniels searched three days non-stop among his counterparts to try and find a center fielder this week.  And when he was done Thursday, he had landed a big prize.  —  Alas, it was a garment bag.

Cubs' sale crawling into '08  —  ORLANDO — Scratch one event from the baseball off-season.  —  Not only will Major League Baseball not get its first $1 billion franchise, but it doesn't look as if the Cubs will be sold, at any price, before the 2008 season has begun.

TV deal reflects Mariners' strength  —  When tye Mariners acquired their first cable TV deal, it was for 25 games in 1994, only about half of which made the tube because tiles fell in the Kingdome and the players struck Major League Baseball.  The sport, and Seattle baseball, couldn't have been much more dismal.