Catcher signed by Mets  —  Colorado, which loses free agent Torrealba, braces for the departure of Matsui as well.  —  The Denver Post  —  After losing free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to the New York Mets on Thursday, the Rockies are bracing for the loss of Kazuo Matsui.

Barry Bonds is a Ham Sandwich  —  A grand jury, held open for nearly four years, handed down an indictment yesterday against Barry Bonds for perjury and obstruction.  Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury in the government's case against BALCO, specifically saying that he did not knowingly use steroids …

Tax dispute could cost Jeter millions  —  Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, known for making the rounds at the city's hot spots, is on the hot seat with New York State, which says he owes back taxes because he claimed he lived in Florida when he was really a resident of the Big Apple.

Astros acquire right-hander Villarreal from Atlanta  —  Outfielder Anderson sent to Braves; Astros also sign outfielder Yordany Ramirez  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Oscar Villarreal from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Josh Anderson.

Rogers cuts ties with agent Boras  —  Free agent left-hander will represent himself in negotiations  —  DETROIT — In an unexpected twist to the offseason saga surrounding both free agent pitcher Kenny Rogers and agent Scott Boras, Rogers informed Major League teams on Friday afternoon …

Mariano Rivera holding out for fourth year  —  Having seen the Yankees hand out a four-year contract to Jorge Posada and a 10-year deal to Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera has apparently decided that three years are not enough for him.  —  According to sources, the All-Star closer is now demanding …

Reunion?  Braves offer free-agent Glavine contract  —  The Atlanta Braves offered Tom Glavine a contract Friday, the first attempt to reunite the free agent left-hander with the franchise he broke into the majors with 20 years ago.  —  Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, said Friday that Glavine would take less money to join the Braves.

Arizona Fall League Top 20 Prospects  —  That wasn't exactly how things ended up however.  —  Last year, the league boasted such names as Royals righthander Luke Hochevar, Mets righthanders Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey, as well as Devil Rays righthander Jeff Niemann.

YES benches SI's Tom Verducci  —  Tom Verducci is out as an analyst on YES's "Yankees Hot Stove.''  —  Why?  His recent, scathing column on SI.com regarding Joe Torre's departure might have had something to do with it.  Actually . . . it had pretty much everything to do with it.

Notes: Izturis' option declined  —  Veteran shortstop joins free agent market  —  PITTSBURGH — As expected, the Pirates declined to pick up the 2008 option on Cesar Izturis' contract, officially making the infielder the third member of the 2007 club to file for free agency.

Rapping With Rusty  —  If you were born after 1965, you probably don't have many memories of Rusty Torres in a Yankees uniform.  A lean, switch-hitting outfielder in the Roy White mold, Torres played for the Yankees in 1971 and '72 before being packaged to the Indians as part of the deal that brought Graig Nettles to New York.

Hot Stove: Iguchi to test free agency  —  Second baseman to try his options after release from Phils  —  Teams searching for help at second base will have another potential option as Tadahito Iguchi is officially a free agent.  —  Philadelphia released Iguchi, who batted .301 while filling …

Sources: Royals dip into Japanese market  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Royals, dipping into the Japanese market, are close to signing free-agent reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year contract with a player option for a third season, according to major-league sources.

Lowell and behold, decision looms … Decision time is coming for Mike Lowell.  —  Although it is believed that the Red Sox [team stats]' current offer to the third baseman is more lucrative than the three-year, $ 36 million deal first put on the table at the GM meetings last week in Orlando …