Saturday Applesauce

In Arizona:

• Josh Thole went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs batted in.
• Jason Vargas allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in three innings of relief.
• Tobi Stoner allowed a hit and struck out two in two innings.

In Hawaii:

• Ruben Tejada went 1-for-5 and was caught stealing.
• Roy Merritt struck out two in two innings for his second save of the fall.

In the Dominican Republic:

• Fernando Tatis went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored.
• Argenis Reyes went 0-for-4 with a walk.
• Fernando Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in.

In Puerto Rico:

• Nick Evans went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He is 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts overall.

Who was the more valuable player in 2008: Orlando Hudson or Adam Kennedy? Not so fast.

The Yankees have reportedly extended a contract offer to C.C. Sabathia on the order of six years, $140 million, which would trump the contract extension the Mets gave to Johan Santana after acquiring him last winter. Of course, this is only the Yankees' opening offer, so is there any reason to believe that eight years, $200 million is completely out of the question? River Ave. Blues has more.

The Twins have apparently sent the framework for a deal to the agent for Casey Blake, which seems a tad formal for a player whom Keith Law ranked #31 on this offseason's free agent list and whom he said was "not suitable for a starting third-base job unless a club needs a one-year placeholder". Blake will also be playing his age 35 season in 2009, making him even less attractive.

The A's have already traded for Matt Holliday this offseason, but there are rumblings that they are also interested in signing free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Athletics Nation supports the plan.

Fascinating article by Michael Lewis at Portfolio.com that should serve as something of an epilogue for Liar's Poker. It's a long read but a good one.