Brewers do not pick up Looper's option  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  I was just informed that the Brewers have decided not to pick up the $6.5 million option for 2010 on the contract of right-hander Braden Looper.  —  Instead, the Brewers will pay a buyout of $1 million to Looper.

Rockies decline Betancourt's option  —  The Rockies announced this afternoon they declined the contract option for right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt.  —  The move, which was not unexpected, makes Betancourt a free agent, meaning he can negotiate with any team.

Ben Sheets' agent expects strong market for pitcher  —  Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin caught reporters slightly off-guard at the GM meetings in Chicago this week when he observed that “no one has heard from” former Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets.  More than one media outlet took …

Cops summoned to rescue Yanks' 1996 Series hero  —  John Wetteland — MVP of the 1996 World Series for the Yankees — was rushed to a hospital yesterday after police responded to a woman's frantic call from his Texas home that he might have been suicidal.  —  Cops rushed to the 43-year-old …

Mets renovating bullpen area at Citi Field … NEW YORK — For those of you who might be curious to see what Citi Field looks like on a chilly, overcast day in November, here are a couple pictures I shot Friday.  Not a whole lot going on outside of the team office building just beyond right field.

Breaking News: Wally Backman gets Brooklyn Job  —  Breaking News from NYBD's Mike Silva: The Mets will announce in a press conference on Tuesday that Wally Backman will be back in the organization to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones for the 2010 season.  Wally is part of the Mets apparent plan …

Yankees could try to make deal for Granderson  —  Tigers may try to move All-Star outfielder, who hit 30 homers last year and is only 29.  —  The Tigers' cost cutting has  —  altered the landscape of the baseball industry, as the Yankees now will investigate another intriguing option in Detroit's Curtis Granderson.

Ethier, Kemp claim Silver Slugger honors  —  Kemp adds to trophy case day after winning Gold Glove  —  LOS ANGELES — One day after the Dodgers had two Gold Glove winners, it was announced that they had two Silver Slugger winners.  —  Outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier received honors Thursday …

AP Interview: Chapman says no drama in defection  —  Buzz up!  —  NEW YORK (AP)—Aroldis Chapman simply left his room at the Domina Hotel in Rotterdam last July and went down to the lobby.  —  The Cuban pitcher's defection during a tournament in the Netherlands lacked any of the drama a movie script writer would want.

Jeter plays a Bronx bummer for movie  —  Give that man an Oscar!  —  No, Derek Jeter hasn't blown through his fortune al ready — he's playing a be draggled bum in a movie.  —  The Yan kees captain and five-time world cham pion is play ing a fictionalized version of himself in the upcoming …

Mariners find their shortstop for next two years  —  In his ongoing quest to field a first-rate defensive ballcub, Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik locked up shortstop Jack Wilson to a two-year contract with the club on Friday.  —  Because of injury problems, Wilson, 31 …

Plenty of tough choices ahead for Epstein, BoSox  —  Re-sign vets?  Chase free agents?  Get younger?  Theo Epstein has plenty to decide for an uncertain BoSox future, Ken Rosenthal says.

Mariners launch new online matchmaking service for sharing season tickets  —  Owners can find partners and manage ticket inventory with free online service  —  The Seattle Mariners are playing matchmaker for current and prospective season ticket holders and have streamlined the process …

Saltdogs Mourn Passing Of Pitcher Figueroa  —  LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs are saddened to announce the death of pitcher Jonathan Figueroa, who passed away on Sunday, November 8th due to complications from Lupus disease.  Figueroa, who enjoyed an eight-year professional baseball career …

Perhaps the offseason bar set too high, too soon  —  So much for the general managers meetings, which began five days after the World Series and 10 days before the free-agency period opens.  They're really the agents meetings, because the agents are in the lobby and can float whatever they want floated …

LeBron James planning to give up No. 23 out of respect for Michael Jordan, urges others to do same … Miami — Basking in the glow of a victory over the Heat, Cavs superstar LeBron James looked over at his idol sitting in the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday night and made a command decision.