Torre dishes Yankee dirt  —  From left, Joe Torre comes out swinging in new book, which tells his Bronx tale about life with The Boss, Brian Cashman and ...  Joe Torre's place in the Baseball Hall of Fame is secure, but his place in Monument Park at the new Yankee Stadium may not be.

Movement in Varitek talks?  —  Roughly three months after the end of their 2008 season and fewer than three weeks before the start of spring training, the Red Sox have made a formal proposal to catcher Jason Varitek that could end a winter-long stalemate.  —  One way or the other.

Gonzalez healthy for Spring Training  —  Shortstop missed 2008 season following left knee surgery  —  CINCINNATI — An examination of Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez's left knee on Saturday brought some positive news.  —  Gonzalez, who missed all of the 2008 season with a compression fracture …

Hot Stove Central  —  Follow the Hot Stove League all winter long and build your 2009 Yankee or Met dream lineup today.  Play Manager Now  —  It's A Madd, Madd World...  Say It Ain't So … Today's Top Picks … Best Of NYDN.com

Lupica: Brotherly shove for Clemens  —  So here is Jay McGwire - who in the all-time rankings for brothers goes in there with Fredo Corleone - trying to sell a book about his brother Mark McGwire's use of steroids.  This all happens not so long after Jay McGwire's big brother fails for a third …

Teams wait for a discount  —  Free agents didn't bargain on lowball  —  Nearly 100 major leaguers are still available in free agency, which, according to several baseball officials, could ignite a frenzy of cheap signings, and even minor league deals, from now until well into spring training.

Options to help beef up arms remain weak  —  Team needs more starting pitching going into spring training  —  Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin do not have their heads buried in the sand.  With three weeks to go before spring training begins, they realize the starting rotation is perilously thin.

Amaro: Eaton not an option; Add Wigginton to your list of names  —  Well, this should just about settle any talk about Adam Eaton's role, or lack thereof.  —  Asked today whether Adam Eaton had any chance at establishing himself as the Phillies' No. 5 starter, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, well, no.

Casey retiring, headed to MLB Network  —  Former Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey is officially retiring, having signed on with the MLB Network.  Casey, The 34-year-old, who played in 69 games with Boston last season, hitting .322, finishes his 12-season career with a .302 lifetime batting average …

Pettitte, Yanks continue discussions  —  Club may pursue Sheets or fill fifth starter's role from within  —  NEW YORK — Details of the months-old standoff between Andy Pettitte and the Yankees have not changed much, but both sides maintain interest in a reunion.

AMAZIN' HURLER READY TO SHOULDER HIS LOAD  —  The moment Derek Lowe signed his four-year deal with the Braves, John Maine became that much more vital to the Mets.  —  Maine is ready for the challenge.  This is a different Maine the Mets will see in spring training.

Young still a bit angry about new role, position with Texas Rangers  —  ARLINGTON — Michael Young was part of a Texas Rangers 1-2 punch that got Fan Fest off to a fast start Saturday morning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  —  The new third baseman had some help from center fielder Josh Hamilton …

Talking Yankees prospects  —  A look at New York's top 10 Minor Leaguers  —  Let's take a preseason tour of the Yankees farm system with the help of our friends at Baseball America and a Major League scout who specializes in scouting American League prospects.