Yankees plotting to keep Damon, Pettitte, Matsui  —  CHICAGO — The Yankees are strategizing ways to retain all three of their major free agents — Johnny Damon, Andy Pettitte and Hideki Matsui — sources told The Post.  —  Damon and Pettitte are the priorities.

Jason Varitek to Exercise Player Option, Will Stay With Red Sox  —  The Red Sox declined to exercise their $5 million team option on catcher Jason Varitek on Monday, but that doesn't mean the longtime captain will be leaving Boston.  —  NESN learned on Monday night that the 37-year-old Varitek …

MLB Free-Agent Compensation ‘Elias Rankings’ Released  —  CHICAGO — The annual Elias rankings are out, determining which free agents could result in draft-pick compensation for their former teams.  —  Free agents are classified as Type A, Type B or not at all.

Unloading Milton Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry  —  Even if Cubs eat salary, Hendry may struggle to find taker for OF  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendr shakes hands with Milton Bradley.  (M. Spencer Green, Associated Press / January 8, 2009)

Mark Cuban says he'd be interested in buying the Dodgers  —  Cuban says he'd base a decision on his ability to buy a controlling share as part of an ownership group.  The Dodgers are not for sale, but the McCourt divorce raises questions about team's future.

Maybin's shoulder surgery a success  —  Center fielder expected to be ready by Spring Training  —  MIAMI — Down the stretch, Cameron Maybin was hindered by a sore left shoulder.  —  The Marlins center fielder addressed the issue on Monday.  —  Maybin, 22, underwent surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Yanks' Cashman Won't Be Swayed  —  CHICAGO - Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman made it clear Monday that even if Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon had gone 20 for 20 in the World Series with 10 home runs apiece, it would not change the team's thinking about how it would deal with the two impending free agents.

Marlins giving Penn another look  —  With righty's addition, Florida's 40-man roster at 34  —  MIAMI — The Marlins are planning on taking another look at right-hander Hayden Penn.  —  The team on Monday announced it had selected the contract of the 25-year-old, who spent most of the season at Triple-A New Orleans.

Phils still in the running for Halladay  —  CHICAGO - Ruben Amaro Jr. arrived at the annual general managers' meetings late this afternoon and listed his priorities for upgrading his team this off-season.  —  “Third base, bullpen, bench,” the Phillies' GM said in the lobby of the O'Hare Hilton, where the meetings run through tomorrow.

Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010  —  All signs are pointing to Ken Griffey Jr. signing for another season in Seattle.  Why not?  —  Just bring him back.  —  Ken Griffey Jr.'s future will likely be decided in the next few days, as agent Brian Goldberg resumes discussions with the Mariners.

Can rookie Sebastian Vollmer end the Matt Light Era at left tackle?  —  It's an old dilemma for a coach.  For Patriots fans and coach Bill Belichick, it goes back to up-and-coming Tom Brady vs. franchise QB Drew Bledsoe, circa 2001.  —  An established veteran goes down with an injury …