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).

David Ortiz pushes Red Sox to add some pop  —  Three weeks after the end of the Red Sox [team stats] season, David Ortiz [stats]' left wrist is feeling better.  —  But while Ortiz expects to be fully healthy for the start of the 2009 season, the designated hitter also believes the Sox lineup needs reinforcements.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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?

Emilio Bonifacio deal puts Dan Uggla's status in question  —  Bonifacio brings speed, will get look in crowded mix at third  —  Tuesday, the Marlins and Nationals announced the five-player deal that sent left-hander Scott Olsen and left fielder Josh Willingham to Washington.

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.