Red Sox freeze ticket prices for 2009 season  —  First time in 14 years the team holds prices on all seats and standing room tickets available to the public; Spring Training prices also held  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today announced the team is holding prices at 2008 levels …

Yankees Sign Damaso Marte?  —  By Tim Dierkes [November 12 at 1:06pm CST]  —  1:06pm: It's official.  Marte gets a three-year deal with a club option for 2012.  —  9:01am: According to Impacto Deportivo, the Yankees signed Damaso Marte to a three-year, $12MM deal (link is in Spanish).

Despite economy, Yanks will be big spenders  —  The Yankees know their needs — starting pitching tops the list — and are ready to start spending once free agency opens Friday, co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said yesterday.  —  “We're going to do what we do every year,” Steinbrenner said …

Crasnick: A victim of bad timing … The first big item on Ben Sheets' offseason agenda comes Dec. 14, when he will serve as grand marshal of the Christmas parade in Gonzales, La. — aka “the jambalaya capital of the world.”  —  Sometime before spring training, Sheets will find out where he'll be pitching in 2009.

MLB Network adds to on-air talent lineup  —  Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds join as studio analysts along with reporters Trenni Kusnierek and Hazel Mae  —  SECAUCUS, N.J. — MLB Network today announced four new additions to its roster of on-air talent, naming baseball veterans Al Leiter …

Tampa Bay Rays  —  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.

Mets keeping tabs on closers' market  —  Fuentes, Rodriguez, Wood appeal most to Minaya  —  NEW YORK — The pending Rockies-A's trade that will move Matt Holliday to the American League and put Huston Street in the National League appears to have little impact on the Mets — at least little immediate impact.

Braves' new world could revolve around Peavy  —  For a franchise that won 14 consecutive division titles, fourth place does not suffice.  So Frank Wren has a plan.  —  He's going to remake the Atlanta Braves.  Preferably by taking a major first step in the next few days.

Former Mets star says have fun  —  BASEBALL: The Hall of Fame pitcher advises prep players to enjoy the moment, as he speaks in Newport Beach.  —  Tom Seaver seemed to be so comfortable, sitting at The Cannery with a beer in front of him, Tommy Davis to his left and Doug DeCinces to his right.

Boldly Going Where No Stadium Has Gone Before  —  The Yankees, still looking for pitching help, detoured on Tuesday into discussions of wireless technology, the convergence of video, Internet and voice, and killer apps.  —  None of that will be supplied by the free agent C. C. Sabathia …

Giles and Hoffman  —  I apologize for the dual subjects of this post, especially given the importance of each individual one.  However, both are timely, and neither should be ignored.  —  There were a lot of relevant comments following the Brian Giles post, so I wanted to respond.

Replacement level defined  —  Where or what is replacement level?  This is a question that does not have a perfect answer.  The concept in baseball is this: what is the quality of player you could get for the least cost, such as major league minimum, without having to give up value elsewhere?

3 UP: Jenks, Manny and A-Rod  —  1. Bobby Jenks is available and the Mets are interested.  Why wouldn't they be?  Jenks will pitch next season at just 28.  He is a World Series-winning closer.  He has 111 saves over the past three years.  He is not a free agent until after the 2011 season.

Evolution of Texas Rangers pitchers begins in training room  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - In an attempt to toughen up the worst pitching staff in the majors, the Rangers have tapped into the philosophies of an old-school pitching guru.  —  His name: Charles Darwin.