Yankees shouldn't have to budge off their reported three-year, $45 million offer to Derek Jeter  —  Alex Rodriguez's contract is the real benchmark from Derek Jeter's standpoint in this negotiation.  But the circumstances of A-Rod's deal - dumb as it was - were vastly different than these.

Kaz Matsui returns to Japan to play for Eagles  —  TOKYO—Kazuo Matsui has returned to Japan and joined the Rakuten Eagles after spending seven seasons in the major leagues.  —  The Eagles said Thursday they reached an agreement with the 35-year-old infielder, who played for the New York Mets …

Following the paper trail  —  Which teams have money to burn this winter?  It's not just the usual suspects  —  ESPN.com  —  Follow the money.  —  If your dad never gave you that advice, there's an excellent chance your wife is at the mall, maxing out your credit cards as we speak.

Resume says yes, but will Bagwell make Hall?  —  Lifelong Astros slugging first baseman on ballot for first time … HOUSTON — While Jeff Bagwell doesn't expect to get voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot and he swears he doesn't care if he ever makes it …

Can't prevent '11 Red Sox from scoring  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  Somehow, some way, the Red Sox [team stats] will score runs in 2011.  Lots of them.  It's what they do.  —  That's easy to forget, even on this day of thanks, since the sting …

White Sox shouldn't let Konerko go  —  Paul Konerko and the White Sox are still a long way from working out a deal.  —  PRINT RSS  —  Updated Nov 26, 2010 2:25 AM ET  —  Paul Konerko is coming off a much better season than Derek Jeter.  Since 2001, Konerko has won the same number of world championships as Jeter.

Former Phillies pitcher Tom Underwood dies at 56  —  Former Phillies lefthander Tom Underwood died Monday of pancreatic cancer, according to his hometown newspaper, the Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune.  —  He was 56.  He died in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to the paper.

Mets' offseason priorities include finding back-end starters and backup catcher, deciding on Minaya  —  Dillon Gee is the best internal option to fill the Mets' need for back-end starting pitching.  The club is hoping the righthander, who impressed in a September callup, can lock up a rotation spot.

Bullington signs contract with Japanese team  —  Former top Draft pick will play for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp  —  KANSAS CITY — Pitcher Bryan Bullington is headed for Japan.  —  Bullington, a right-hander, was freed to sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League on Wednesday …