Olney's Latest: No Big Money For Manny?  —  By Nat Boyle [December 28 at 12:53pm CST]  —  Buster Olney's latest discusses the bleak outlook for Manny Ramirez in landing the long-term, big money contract he's seeking. … Olney provides a brief rundown on all teams considered potential players …

Brady behind schedule in recovery from surgery  —  Pats must consider keeping Cassel because star QB's knee won't be whole  —  Tom Brady's slow march toward recovery puts the Patriots in a dilemma as they try to decide whether to put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel.  —  Matty's musical tribute to Brady

Los Angeles Dodgers Top 20 Prospects for 2009  —  One in a long line of Mr. Albuquerques.  —  Los Angeles Dodgers Top 20 Prospects for 2009  —  All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.  Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10.

Not catching many offers  —  Varitek, Rodriguez deal with age issue  —  There was a time not long ago when if Pudge Rodriguez and Jason Varitek were both available in the free agent market, there would be a stampede for their services.  Now, there's barely a whisper.

Rickey Definitely Yes, McGwire Unfortunately No  —  The Hall of Fame voting deadline is fast approaching, as ten-year members of the Baseball Writers Association of America must submit their ballots by midnight on Wednesday.  Candidates must be named on 75 percent of the ballots cast …

Teixeira and a stand-up guy  —  New Yankee Mark Teixeira should slip comfortably into pinstripes - he's a big-city guy who idolized Don Mattingly and once harbored contempt for the hated Red Sox.  —  The 28-year-old first baseman is known as a humble, hardworking ballplayer …

From Walt Jocketty 12.27  —  Just got off the phone with Walt Jocketty about Taveras and some other things.  —  On whether this signifies a change in the Reds' philosophy, going with a speed guy and not really replacing some of the big bats that left: “It's more of what was available for us and what we had to do to improve the club.

Hospital to shed Clemens' name  —  Roger Clemens can't get to 2009 soon enough.  —  Five days before the new year, Clemens received another professional setback and blow to his ego.  —  Houston's Memorial Hermann Medical Center announced Saturday that it is removing Clemens' name …

Peavy trade not probable, but organization will listen to offers  —  Jake Peavy, shown throwing against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19, 2007, continues to dominate the Padres offseason.  —  Will the Padres trade Jake Peavy?  —  Not likely, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said after trade talks with the Cubs collapsed this month.

Catching up with Wade and McLane  —  I hope everyone had a happy holiday season and will have a great new year.  I had the opportunity to visit for a little while with Astros general manager Ed Wade and owner Drayton McLane the day after Christmas, and our conversations ran the gamut …

Money can't buy you World Series Rogers' MLB whispers  —  Impatience rarely is rewarded in baseball.  —  It happens, sure.  The World Series the infant franchises in Florida (1997) and Arizona (2001) won come to mind.  But there have been a lot more spectacular failures than successes …

Unit wants to savor time with Giants  —  Johnson realizes 2009 could be swan song to his Hall of Fame career  —  SAN FRANCISCO — If 2009 is Randy Johnson's final Major League campaign, he intends to cherish it.  —  The “Big Unit,” known through most of his 21-year career as a glowering …