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 …

Casey Kotchman says goodbye; coaching staff to be announced today  —  The Casey Kotchman era came to an abrupt and inglorious end today when the first baseman refused an outright assignment to Class AAA Tacoma and opted for free agency.  Seattle has been clearing room on its 40-man roster …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Baseball America's Top Ten Yankee Prospects  —  The gang at Baseball America is currently in the process of posting their individual top ten prospects lists for each team, and so far they've covered the Orioles and Red Sox.  The Yankees' list is scheduled to go live on their website next Wednesday …

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.