Red Sox sign Pedroia to $40.5M extension  —  The Red Sox rewarded their newest MVP with an extension Wednesday.  —  Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has signed a six-year, $40.5 million extension with Boston through 2014 with a club option for the 2015 season, ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting.

And the first free agent is ..... Russell Branyan.  —  The Mariners first free agent signing is third baseman/hitter Russell Branyan.  —  “Russell gives us a veteran left-handed bat with power and can be used as a first baseman, third baseman or designated hitter,” said Zduriencik.

Yanks watch as Braves aim for A.J.  —  While the Yankees sit and wait for CC Sabathia to decide whether it's worth $140 million to pitch in New York, the Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market.  —  Just as they were finalizing …

One Man's Hall of Fame Vote  —  Now that it's OK to say you're a liberal without being forced to live in an underground bunker, I will go ahead and admit it: I am a liberal, especially when it comes time to vote for the Hall of Fame.  For the 12th straight December, I will have the privilege …

UPDATED: Giants sign Howry  —  From beat writer Henry Schulman:  —  The Giants have signed reliever Bobby Howry, a right-hander and one of their former prospects, to a one-year contract.  The Associated Press pegs the deal at $2.75 million.  —  Howry, 35, is a power pitcher who has pitched …

What of the Vazquez trade?  I think....  I've known aces.  Aces have been friends of mine (OK, that's a stretch).  And you, Javier Vazquez, are no ace.  —  That said, Vazquez is a definite middle-rotation upgrade for a Braves team that didn't have any pitcher work 200 innings last season and had only one …

Cardinals ink lefty reliever Trever Miller  —  Free agent agrees to one-year deal  —  ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms with free-agent relief pitcher Trever Miller on a one-year contract for the upcoming 2009 season.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

None of them are K-Rod  —  The Mets just announced the signings of four players — all to minor-league contracts.  —  Here's the official release from the team:  —  FLUSHING, N.Y., December 3, 2008 - Righthanded pitcher Nelson Figueroa, who was 3-3 with a 4.57 ERA for the New York Mets last year …

WILPON NOT WORRIED ABOUT SLOW OFFSEASON  —  Nearly three weeks into free agency and with a gaping hole at closer, the Mets' only major move so far has been re-signing journeyman outfielder Fernando Tatis.  —  But Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon isn't worried about the glacial pace being set by GM Omar Minaya.

Tampa Bay Rays' full playoff shares top $200,000  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The stunning run to the World Series benefited the entire Rays organization.  For the players, coaches, manager Joe Maddon and some staff members, that reward included a $223,390.05 bonus.

Pirates in talks with Turnbow  —  Free-agent reliever found hard times with Brewers  —  The Pirates are in discussions with free-agent reliever Derrick Turnbow.  —  Turnbow, 30, was Milwaukee's closer when he pitched in the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park, but he has fallen far since that 39-save season …