Red Sox pick up option on Ortiz  —  The team just announced they will pick up the $12.5 million option on David Ortiz.  They also picked up the option for RHP Scott Atchison.  —  As expected, they declined the options on Bill Hall and Felipe Lopez.  —  More to come on this

Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth out of Yankees offseason plans, Cliff Lee tops free agent wish list  —  Having already met with ownership in Tampa earlier this week to hammer out a budget for next season, Brian Cashman huddled at Yankee Stadium Wednesday with his baseball people to figure out how to best spend that money.

Sparky Anderson dies at 76  —  THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Sparky Anderson, the white-haired Hall of Fame manager who directed Cincinnati Reds's Big Red Machine to back-to-back World Series championships and won another one in Detroit Tigers, died Thursday.  He was 76.

The smart way to pay Derek Jeter  —  With the captain a free agent, the Yankees' brass must look past the bottom line  —  NEW YORK — We can only hope that Hal Steinbrenner's first salvo in the Derek Jeter situation was more about provisions and not money.

Melvin, Jauss 1st for Sandy  —  Mets on Twitter  —  Tweet  —  Bob Melvin and Dave Jauss will get the first crack at interviewing for the Mets' managerial opening.  —  The team announced last night that Melvin and Jauss, who had not previously been mentioned as a candidate …

Roenicke hiring official  —  It's official: Ron Roenicke is the next Milwaukee Brewers field manager.  —  The Brewers made the announcement Thursday morning and planned to introduce Roenicke, 54, at a 1:30 p.m. CT press conference at Miller Park.  Club officials confirmed he was the choice …

Cliff Lee & Taxes In Texas  —  Despite his two World Series losses, many are assuming that the Yankees will bid top dollar for Texas Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee in free agency.  —  Lee is expected to earn north of $100 million for a five-year contract, which might go higher if it turns into a bidding war.

Tampa Bay Rays may try to bring back Wheeler, Aybar for less  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays declined options on reliever Dan Wheeler and infielder/DH Willy Aybar on Wednesday, but they could end up keeping both.  —  The Rays gave Wheeler, 32, a $1 million buyout rather than a $4 million salary …

Walt Jocketty named Executive of the Year  —  Reds GM wins Sporting News' Award for the third time  —  CINCINNATI — Earlier today, Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today was named Sporting News' Executive of the Year for the third …

Inside the rules: tie goes to the runner  —  Many baseball fans, and possibly some players and coaches, believe that a baserunner who reaches first at the same time as the ball is safe.  Those under that impression often will declare, magisterially and emphatically, that the 'tie goes …

Mets suspend Charlie Samuels indefinitely  —  “Last Wednesday, the Mets suspended Charlie Samuels indefinitely without pay,” the team confirmed to reporters in a statement.  “As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we have no further comment.”  —  Original Post at 1:12 pm:  —  Wow.

Nationals lurking in Cliff Lee sweepstakes  —  While the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees are the obvious frontrunners for marquee free agent starter Cliff Lee, sources say the Washington Nationals are a potential sleeper team in the competition to land Lee.

Texas not exercising Vlad option; he could be back  —  ARLINGTON, Texas—The Texas Rangers did not exercise a $9 million option for Vladimir Guerrero, yet the American League champions could bring the slugger back next season.  —  Guerrero gets a $1 million buyout under the agreement he signed before last season.