Jeter swings deal with state on unpaid taxes  —  BY JOE MAHONEY IN ALBANY AND DOUGLAS FEIDEN IN NEW YORK  —  ALBANY - Derek Jeter has romanced Mariah Carey, squired Jessica Biel, sweet-talked Scarlett Johansson - and now he's made it to first base with the state taxman.

Kielty added as hedge against CF trade  —  In a move that gives them insurance if (when?) they trade Coco Crisp, the Sox have come to terms on a one-year deal with outfielder Bobby Kielty.  It's a nonguaranteed contract that will pay Kielty $800,000 if he makes the big-league roster, with an additional $300,000 in incentives.

Tom Verducci: 7 young pitchers who could be injury risks  —  So the Yankees have let Johan Santana pass to the Mets and smartly bet the future on Phil Hughes, 21, Joba Chamberlain, 21, and Ian Kennedy, 23.  Throw in Chien Ming Wang, 27, and the Yankees have the bulk of their starts covered for years.

Topps card shows Giuliani celebrating with BoSox  —  NEW YORK (AP) -Rudy Giuliani, a Boston Red Sox fan?  —  When Topps baseball cards hit the stores this week it'll appear that way.  About one in every 70 packs will include a picture of the former New York City mayor, fist raised in victory …

Blue Jays brass gets candid with fans  —  Ricciardi and Co. posed tough questions at State of Franchise  —  TORONTO — The latest installment of the annual State of the Franchise event in Toronto strayed some from the typical love-in that the Blue Jays brass has experienced in years past.

Roger Clemens repeats steroid, HGH denials after meeting with Congress  —  WASHINGTON - Roger Clemens emerged from a five-hour meeting with congressional investigators Tuesday and yet again denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs, as alleged in the Mitchell Report.

Notes: Slowes set for fourth season  —  Radio man's signature calls to usher in Nationals Park  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals have agreed to terms with radio play-by-play broadcaster Charlie Slowes to return to the team for a fourth season, according to two baseball sources.

Tigers pull off minor trade with Rangers  —  Detroit adds depth to farm system with right-hander Galarraga  —  For the second time in just over two months, the Tigers have pulled off a minor trade with the Rangers to add depth to their farm system, acquiring right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga …

Yu Darvish Could Be Posted  —  According to Sankei Sports (link in Japanese), the Nippon Ham Fighters are willing to post starter Yu Darvish if he wants to play in the Majors.  Darvish isn't a free agent until after the 2014 season.  A possible posting fee in excess of Daisuke Matsuzaka's $51MM …

Pirates' Sanchez “thrilled” after signing $18.9 million deal  —  The Pirates and second baseman Freddy Sanchez sounded equally satisfied by the contract extension they signed today, one that could cover three years and pay as much as $18.9 million.  —  “I'm thrilled,” Sanchez said at a PNC Park news conference this afternoon.

Bruney, Yankees forgo arbitration  —  With reliever's agreement, Wang lone case left for New York  —  WASHINGTON — Right-handed reliever Brian Bruney agreed to a one-year, $725,000 contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration.  —  Bruney, who turns 26 on Feb. 17 …

O's ace not in Seattle yet  —  His turn for physical should be coming soon  —  Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard remained at home in Ontario tonight, an indication his trade to the Seattle Mariners for five players remains a day or two away from completion.  —  Bedard will have to travel …