On a day in which the Bruins honored Willie O’Ree for breaking the color barrier 50 years ago today, the harder working undermanned Boston club fought back to defeat the Rangers 4-3 in a shootout at home this afternoon.

The win moved the Bruins (23-18-5) into a seventh place tie with the Islanders, who host the Flyers later tonight. It was the second straight win for the B’s this season over the Blueshirts with both wins coming via the skills competition. They also prevailed back on Oct.20 1-0. Tim Thomas again got the better of Henrik Lundqvist, who came away shaking his head in frustration after both Phil Kessel and Bruins’ captain Zdeno Chara beat him to gain a valuable extra point.

Truthfully, this was one of Lundqvist’s best performances this season. It’s no secret that the 25 year-old Swede has struggled recently in part due to his ailing father. With him getting better, King Henrik was splendid in making 36 saves including a few big ones during a Boston four-on-three man-advantage during the final two minutes of overtime.

He deserved better but his Jekyll & Hyde teammates managed to quickly blow a one-goal third period lead. After leading scorer Scott Gomez perfectly setup antagonist Sean Avery with a no-look feed for a power play tally at 8:08, an undisciplined Paul Mara interference penalty led directly to the tying goal.

Having already cashed in on one lazy Ranger penalty late in the second to go ahead when Chuck Kobasew beat Lundqvist on a breakaway while being tripped up by Michal Rozsival, the Bruins used a similar formula to knot the game back up. Marco Sturm took a Dennis Wideman pass and then went right up the seam getting in on Lundqvist, who made two sprawling saves to rob him. But Kobasew was left all along to deposit the loose change for his second of the contest. The goal came just 82 seconds after Avery had tallied his first since Nov.10 in a 3-2 win at Toronto.

It was indicative of just how frustrating and unpredictable Tom Renney’s club has been this season. From their unwillingness at times to shoot the puck on power plays to their inability to protect leads, this team which had such lofty expectations has teased fans instead. They haven’t competed consistently and once again were outworked by a Claude Julien more disciplined team who skated without seven regulars for the crucial first of a home-and-home series with the second wrapping up at Madison Square Garden tomorrow afternoon on NBC.

Despite Gomez finishing with a goal and two helpers for his 10th multiple point game of the season and captain Jaromir Jagr notching a tying goal 3:27 into the third along with two assists, the Rangers wasted a golden opportunity to gain valuable ground on a team they’re competing with in the standings.

They were fortunate to even get a point because after the B’s tied it, it was their little known young forwards who generated chance after chance late with only a sharp Lundqvist (17 third period saves) keeping them at bay to force OT.

In it, the Rangers caught a bad break when Jagr was pushed into Thomas by Boston defenseman Mark Stuart as the stripes awarded a bogus goalie interference penalty.

All day, they made very questionable calls while letting other stuff go. No surprise as that’s become the norm in many NHL games since the two referee system was instituted.

Though Lundqvist got it to a shootout without much help from Marek Malik who couldn’t make a simple clear in the final moments, it wouldn’t matter because the two Ranger shooters fired blanks while Boston’s came up golden.

In the second round, Kessel deked before tucking the puck thru Lundqvist’s five-hole to put his team ahead. After Petr Prucha was denied by a Thomas pad near the goalline, Chara came in and ripped a 15-foot slapper past the Ranger goalie off the far right post and in which ended it.

It concluded another disappointing day for this underachieving bunch who for some unknown reason continues not to put out the maximum effort that’s required to win consistently.

“I saw urgency and intensity in the last 25 games of last year,” a disappointed Avery noted about last season’s run.

“That’s urgency and intensity. Not right now, not how we’re playing. I wish it were different, but it’s not.”

That explains plenty about a team which remains undisciplined and takes far too many lazy penalties. Like lone All-Star representative Gomez pointed out a couple of days ago, the coach doesn’t hold anyone accountable. Something the former Devil who helped them win two Stanley Cups isn’t used to.

Maybe if Renney grew a pair, his team might actually respond. Why does this seem very similar to last year’s Mets?

They better hope not.

It’s rare that you see Roger Federer pushed this early in a grand slam tournament. That the world’s best player needed five sets and four and a half hours to pull out a come from behind 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 third round victory down under speaks to how well Janko Tipsarevic played.

The 23 year-old 49th ranked Serbian who had never been past the second round pushed the 12-time slam champion to the brink of elimination in a grueling four and a half hour marathon. Slugging it out from the baseline, Tipsarevic played the kind of inspired tennis which made the three-time Australian Open champion dig deep to reach the Round of 16.

In fact, it was Federer who dropped his first set of the tournament in a tiebreak losing as many games in the opening frame as he had against his first two opponents. But the two-time defending champ fought back to claim the second set breaker cruising to a 7-1 win to square the match.

When it looked like Federer would serve out the third set for a lead, a determined Tipsarevic cameback to break the Swiss Maestro twice to claim the set and pull within one big set of a stunning upset.

Amazingly, he converted all three break chances while the champion needed all 21 opportunities for his five breaks.

“I had to block out all the chances I missed,” Federer later admitted to the Associated Press. “He came up with some fantastic plays and played me well.”

Though he rebounded in strong fashion to take the fourth set forcing the deciding dramatic fifth, it wouldn’t come easy for Federer because Tipsarevic wouldn’t budge an inch. When facing the pressure in the fifth game, the Serb came up with the goods nailing a tough crosscourt forehand winner inside the line to save one of two break points the 26 year-old from Switzerland had drawing plenty of support from the capacity Rod Laver Arena crowd.

Using a gigantic forehand which produced many of his 52 winners, Tipsarevic continued to stay right with Federer in the final set which needed 78 minutes to complete as they went to sudden death. The Serb’s underrated serve allowed him to win many free points (71 percent on first serve). Even a kicker of a second serve won 57 percent- three percent higher than Fed.

If there was one huge difference, it was Federer’s penchant for aces- easily shattering his previous best with 39. He needed every single one in not facing a break or match point earlier today.

Finally in the 17th game with the match square at eight all in the fifth, a determined Federer cameback from 40-0 down (three game points) to break Tipsarevic. Maybe that’s what separates him from every other tennis player on the planet. He just never gives away any free points. Instead of packing it in, he made Tipsarevic play producing a couple of his match best 96 winners including a backhand and forehand crosscourt which setup the 21st break opportunity.  This time, he cashed it by ripping a backhand crosscourt which his desperate foe netted. Federer gave a loud roar pumping his fist as he finally got ready to close out a resilient Tipsarevic who came in with the right approach.

“I went on court with the idea that I can win,” the Serbian pointed out later. “I was close. I lost because he was better in the important moments of the match.“  

“Be aggressive, and then try to make him work for the points that he’s winning. “Against Roger it’s so hard, because he’s playing every point. Even when you’re up like 40-0, the game is far, far from over.“

When Federer drew an error from Tipsarevic, it was finally over. Unlike a classic five set semifinal in which he fell to eventual 2005 winner Marat Safin, the world No.1 had what it took to survive advancing to a fourth round match-up against No.12 seeded Tomas Berdych, who eliminated No.21 Juan Monaco in four sets.

“I don’t often get to play five-setters unless they’re against [Rafael] Nadal at Wimbledon,” Federer later noted. “It was good to be part of something like this. It’s a pity you can’t have draws in tennis.”

That’s any sport in general where there’s always a winner and a loser. For Federer, he usually comes out on top because he’s so great. He also has tremendous will which was on display Saturday.

If Federer prevails over Berdych, he could face 28 year-old American James Blake in the quarters. After pulling off his first ever win from two sets down over Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, the affable Yonkers native will face 19 year-old Croat Marin Celic, who knocked out 2007 runner-up Fernando Gonzalez in four sets.

Also moving into the Round of 16 was Australia’s own Lleyton Hewitt. The 26 year-old former 2005 finalist not surprisingly needed five sets to get the better of No.15 seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in a match which took nearly five hours ending at 4:33 AM Australian time.

“It wasn’t easy for both of us. Obviously, an incredible day of tennis. For Roger Federer to go five sets, how often does that happen?” Hewitt pointed out after outlasting a hobbled Baghdatis who rolled his ankle but fought valiantly. “It’s tough for everyone. Marcos and I are in the same boat.”

Hewitt will next face No.3 seeded Serb Novak Djokovic, who straight setted young American Sam Querrey 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

On the women’s side, American Venus Williams advanced to the Round of 16 with a 7-6 (0), 6-4 win over Sania Mirza.  She’ll await the winner of China’s Li Na or Poland’s Marta Domachowska.

Younger sister Serena Williams is slated to play 12th seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova in a rematch of a semifinal last year. The defending champion prevailed in that one and will look for a similar end result as she attempts to successfully defend her third Aussie title. She could see third seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic in the quarters.

Meanwhile, it will be a battle of Russian women when last year’s runner-up Maria Sharapova faces 11th seeded Elena Dementieva.

On the men’s side, another Russian battle will take place between fourth ranked Nikolay Davydenko and 14th seeded Mikhail Youzhny. It should be a good one between the two speedy baseliners.

We’ll have more later.

He knew that he had to dig deeper than he ever had in his tennis life. That’s because James Blake had never comeback from two sets down to win a best-of-five match in his career. He also hadn’t had any luck against a tough opponent in 46th ranked Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, who owned a career 3-0 record and looked on his way to making it a perfect four-for-four.

The 29 year-old veteran had frustrated Blake with a steady ground game including some stifling winners off the backhand side down the line to capture the first two sets. However, a determined and fitter 28 year-old American across the net fought his way back into the entertaining match to pull off a well earned five set win- ousting Grosjean 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-2 Saturday at Vodafone Arena in Melbourne.

After facing early trouble in the opening service game of the third set, the streaky Blake turned it around nailing big first serves and slugging winners. He dictated the play and cruised to an easy bagel to pull within a set of Grosjean.

Just when it seemed the No.12 seed had clear momentum, his feisty opponent used his speed and wits to break consecutive times opening up a 4-1 double break lead in the fourth set. That’s when Blake elevated his level by dictating the points and suddenly breaking back twice and holding serve to run off four consecutive games for a 5-4 lead. But leveling the ultracompetitive match wouldn’t come easy as Grosjean fought off a set point and then forced a pivotal tiebreaker.

In it, the Frenchman jumped out to a 4-1 minibreak and 5-3 lead. But that’s when Blake used his splendid groundstrokes to turnaround the breaker. First, he nailed a backhand return winner down the line to get back on serve. A couple of more winners setup a second set point. A service winner drew him even as he screamed, “Yeah. Yeah!” pumping his fist.

If fatigue was a factor, it reared its ugly head in the final set as a fresher Blake played longer points making a weary Grosjean work for everything breaking twice before serving it out without a problem- punctuating the much deserved come from behind win with an ace down the tee.

The victory improved Blake to 2-10 in five setters with his only other win coming at last year’s U.S. Open in a second round conquest of Fabrice Santoro.

“That’s got to be my biggest comeback — down two sets to love, two sets to one, two breaks; 4-1 in the breaker, 5-3 in the breaker,” a pumped up Blake told the Associated Press. “Just seemed like every time there was a mountain to climb … couldn’t have been a better feeling than to accomplish what I did.“

“I don’t think a lot of people like my chances, but I always do — no matter what my body language says.“

That included ESPN’s own Patrick McEnroe and Mary Carillo. They were pleasantly surprised by Blake’s complete reversal of good fortune.

He’ll next meet 19 year-old Croat Marin Celic, who upset 2007 Australian runner-up Fernando Gonzalez in four sets, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1.

The lanky Celic who was discovered by former 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic plays a similar style with flashy groundstrokes and a nice touch at the net.  

So it shouldn’t come easy if Blake wants to advance to his first ever quarterfinal down under where two-time defending champ Roger Federer could await.

In the mean time, he should savor a hard fought victory which will give him even more confidence going forward in the year’s first slam and beyond.

Especially with Americans Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish bowing out with third round disappointments the previous day.

Just an update on Federer. He’s actually losing to Janko Tipsarevic 6-7. 7-6, 5-7, 5-1. With another break just now, it appears the three-time Aussie champ and best player in the world is about to level the match as it heads for a deciding fifth set.

Who would ever have believed that?!?!?!?!?! Tipsarevic has a big game and is talented but has never really made a dent at the majors.

Either way, they’re going to be talking about him later today. Especially with all the recent upsets which also included second seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and former 2006 winner Amelie Maureso as well as Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

We’ll try to update what happens later today at some point.

All-Star first basemen Justin Morneau and Mark Teixeira were a couple of the other big names who avoided going to salary arbitration by reaching new deals with their respective teams Friday.

The 26 year-old former 2006 AL MVP reached agreement with the Twins on a one-year $7.4 million contract. Following his MVP season, the Canadian product hit .271 with 31 dingers and 111 runs batted in last year.

Fortunately for Minnesota who stands to lose ace Johan Santana one way or another after this year, they should have Morneau around until after the 2010 season because he isn’t eligible to become a free agent until then.

Meanwhile, the Braves re-signed the switch-hitting Teixeira to a one-year $12.5 million deal- giving the former Ranger acquired before last year’s deadline a $3.5 million raise.

In only 54 games with Atlanta last summer, the 27 year-old Annapolis Maryland native batted .317 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI’s. The strong final couple of months with his new team enabled him to finish with a combined 30 homers and 105 knocked in between the two leagues.

Another big first base slugger reaching a new agreement was the D-Rays’ Carlos Pena. The 29 year-old from Santo Domingo cashed in on his breakout season by agreeing to a three-year $24.125 million contract pending a physical. In 2007, the former Texas 1998 first round pick hit .282 while slugging a career high 46 dingers and 121 RBI’s. His best season prior to that was with the Tigers in 2004 when he hit 27 long balls and drove home 82 in 142 games. He then bounced around the Yanks and Red Sox organizations before the Devil Rays gave him one more opportunity last year. He made the most out of it.

“I love Tampa Bay and I feel very comfortable playing with the Rays. I’m very happy to be able to be with the team for the next three seasons,” Pena expressed to the Associated Press during a telephone interview in the Dominican Republic.

“The team certainly is trying to become a contender. But we don’t want just to contend, we want to win and we’re getting closer. Things in Tampa Bay look bright.“  =-O

There are words you don’t hear every day associated with the D-Rays.

Tampa also re-signed ace Scott Kazmir to a one-year $3.785 million deal. The 23 year-old hard throwing southpaw won 13 games while posting a 3.48 ERA in a career high 34 starts in 2007. The ex-Met 2002 first round selection who was given away by then interim GM Jim Duquette for Victor Zambrano paced the AL with 239 strikeouts last year.

In local news, the Yanks agreed to a one-year $1.165 million contract with utility man Wilson Betemit. After coming over from the Dodgers for reliever Scott Proctor, he hit .226 with four long balls and 24 RBI’s in 37 games while playing some third and first with the club. He should see time at first this season along with Doug Mientkiewicz and possibly Shelly Duncan.

The Mets meanwhile re-signed setup man Aaron Heilman to a one-year $1.2 million deal. The former 2001 first rounder out of Notre Dame appeared in a career high 81 games while posting a 7-7 record with a 3.03 ERA while saving one game and allowing opponents to hit just .224.

The Amazin’s also brought back second baseman Jose Valentin, giving the veteran a minor league contract. If he can return healthy from a anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his right knee last Sept.25, the 38 year-old Puerto Rican could backup starter Luis Castillo. Much depends on what the Mets plan to do with Ruben Gotay. Do they trade him for more pitching help? We’ll see.

If Valentin makes the Met roster, he’ll earn a million dollars.

Meanwhile, five other players could be headed to arbitration including pitchers Oliver Perez, Jorge Sosa and Pedro Feliciano. That also includes outfielders Endy Chavez and Ryan Church.

Here were some other notables who came to new deals Friday:

Oakland SP Joe Blanton, one-year $3.7 million

Arizona 2B Orlando Hudson, one-year $6.25 million

Pittsburgh OF Xavier Nady, one-year 3.35 million

Florida closer Kevin Gregg, one-year $2.5 million

Angels 1B Casey Kotchman, one-year $1.45 million

St. Louis OF Rick Ankiel, one-year $900,000

Oakland closer Huston Street, one-year $3.3 million

Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge, one-year $6.35 million

Chicago 3B Joe Crede, one-year $5.1 million

Big name stars who are still far apart and could go to arbitration include former 2006 NL MVP Ryan Howard, recently acquired new Houston closer Jose Valverde, Angels’ closer Francisco Rodriguez and Baltimore ace lefty Erik Bedard.

We’ll keep you posted on what happens.

Matt Holliday and the Colorado Rockies avoided arbitration- reaching agreement on a two-year $23 million contract Friday.

The just turned 28 year-old out of Stillwater Oklahoma paced the senior circuit in hitting (.340) and RBI’s (137) while clubbing 36 home runs last season. His production helped the franchise reach the postseason for only the second time and led them to their first ever World Series before losing to the Red Sox.

Holliday’s big season didn’t go unnoticed as he finished a close second in the NL MVP voting, only losing out to Phillie shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

In 2007, he made $4.4 million. The left fielder will get a raise of $5.1 million in Year One while seeing his salary hike to $13.5 million in 2009.

The Rockies also re-signed speedy center fielder Willy Taveras to a one-year $1.975 million deal with incentives. In 97 games last season, the former Astro hit .320 and stole 33 bases.

In other baseball news earlier today, the Tigers signed third baseman Miguel Cabrera to a one-year $11.3 million deal.

The 24 year-old superstar was acquired along with lefty starter Dontrelle Willis by Detroit at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December as part of an eight-player blockbuster trade which sent six prospects to the Marlins including southpaw Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.

In 2007, the Venezuelan product hit .320 with 34 dingers and 119 RBI’s. In five career seasons already, Cabrera’s hit .313 with 138 homers and 523 RBI’s. The Tigers will be looking for more of that kind of production in a star studded lineup which includes AL MVP runner-up Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield and Carlos Guillen.

The Tigers will hope Cabrera can get them back to October this season and then concentrate on signing the young slugger long-term before he becomes a free agent in 2009.

 As more disturbing news comes out about whether Miguel Tejada lied to the government on if he ever took steroids (gee you don’t say), we figured we’d keep the focus on some of the other moves made by teams during the winter.

It’s not like anyone’s doing cartwheels now that MLB commisioner Bud Selig got a three-year extension. It was under his watch that this fake steroid era took place. Baseball didn’t care as long as the paying customers continued filling ballparks. How come you almost never hear know it alls such as Daily News columnist Mike Lupica ever take baseball to task for what took place over the past decade? Wasn’t it their responsibility? Don’t let the truth get in the way of personal agendas.

Chicks dug the longball and records were being shattered. Nothing else mattered. Mark McGwire technically did nothing wrong but not speaking up a few years ago is why Big Mac will continue to get little support for election into Cooperstown. Is anyone really going to ever know the whole truth about that era? Next.

Back to breaking down some more trades and signings. What better way to start than with one of the aforementioned stars who probably lied:

11.Houston acquires SS Miguel Tejada from Orioles for OF Luke Scott, 3B Michael Costanzo along with pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate.

Impact: Overpayment much for a star player whose power is in decline? You betcha. The 31 year-old from the Dominican is usually pretty durable as evidenced by his six consecutive seasons without missing a game before that streak ended in 2007 where he missed 29. Will the change in leagues help reinvigorate Tejada? He won’t hurt a lineup which already features Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. The problem is Houston needed pitching. They’re very thin after ace Roy Oswalt and veteran Woody Williams.

For the headed nowhere Birds, addition by subtraction as they look to unload ace Erik Bedard for reasons only known to Peter Angelos. When exactly do they trade Melvin Mora?

12.Braves sign veteran southpaw Tom Glavine away from Mets.

Impact: Much like now California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator II, Glavine’s bacccccccckkkk with his original team. So, will that translate to more wins for the Braves at the expense of their NL East rival? Depends on how much the crafty 41 year-old 300-game winner has left.

By the end of last year’s epic Mets’ collapse, he was their most unreliable starter and it was fitting that the Marlins tattooed him in less than an inning on the final day. With a rotation which includes close pal John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James, he should feel right back at home in Atlanta which could be bad news for angry Amazin fans.

13.Mets trade OF Lastings Milledge to Washington for OF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider.

Impact: When this deal was made by Met GM Omar Minaya, the airwaves at WFAN in New York were flooded with furious calls about how he could get such little value for their former 2003 first round pick. Maybe that’s what happens when that player is not well respected by his peers for his childish hot dog antics. Think his exessive on-field celebration of his first career two-homer game in a Mets’ rout of Florida fired them up quite a bit to want to eliminate their New York rivals?

The soon to be 23 year-old Milledge is a physically gifted player who could develop well in the nation’s capital. He never really got it here and probably needed the change as did the Mets who can do without his baggage. Church isn’t exactly a bad return. He’s coming off a career season in which he established highs in games (144), dingers (15) and RBI’s (70) not to mention 43 two-baggers.

As for Schneider, he’ll platoon with Ramon Castro behind the plate. The Mets are hoping this works out for the short-term because long-term, it favors the Nats.

14.Angels sign former Twin CF Torii Hunter to a five-year $90 million deal.

Impact: If Gary Matthews, Jr. doesn’t work, why not overpay for another outfielder who’s on the other side of 30?!?!?!?!?! If this sounds like the anti-thesis of how the Angels won their only world championship six years ago, you’ve chosen wisely.

Now, to be perfectly fair, the 32 year-old Hunter has been an outstanding defensive center fielder who’s won seven consecutive Gold Gloves. He certainly gives a great effort in the field and at the plate is a threat. Given how much territory the ex-Twin covers in center, there can be a lot of wear and tear. The 160 games he got into last year were the most in his career. Not surprisingly, he set a new career high with 107 RBI’s also jacking 28 out.

In a potent lineup which includes speedster Chone Figgins, Vlad Guerrero along with young stars Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman, Hunter should fare well making the Angels a better team.

15.Giants sign former Phillie CF Aaron Rowand to a five-year $60 million contract.

Impact: A smart move by San Fran GM Brian Sabean in adding the solid 30 year-old Gold Glover to patrol center in Pac Bell. Of course, there will be more pressure to perform without the kind of protection Rowand got with the Phils which helped him establish career bests in homers (27), doubles (45), RBI’s (89) and runs (105).  

16.Red Sox re-sign SP Curt Schilling and 3B Mike Lowell.

Impact: Sometimes, the best changes you make are the ones you don’t. By bringing back the two veterans who helped their club win another world title three years after breaking an 86-year “Curse,” it just makes Boston’s chances of repeating that much stronger. Even if they don’t get Johan Santana, they still can send out ace Josh Beckett, Dice K and the playoff tested Schilling. There’s also vet Tim Wakefield along with young hurlers Jon Lester and Clay Buckholz.

As for Lowell, he has been a rock for them at the plate and in the field. A no-brainer.

17.Minnesota trades SP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett and pitcher Eduardo Morlan to Devil Rays in exchange for OF Delmon Young, SS Brendan Harris and minor league OF Jason Pridie. 

Impact: It’s basically the talented but undisciplined Young for Garza. While the former D-Rays’ 2003 first overall pick had a solid rookie season finishing second to Boston’s Dustin Pedroia for the AL ROY, he also had only a .316 on-base percentage and K’d 127 times. Obviously, that must improve with Minnesota.

The D-Rays add former Minny 2005 first rounder Garza to a rotation which includes ace Scott Kazmir along with 12-game winner James Shields. They’ll hope the 24 year-old can continue to improve in his third season. There’s plenty of offense with Carl Crawford, emerging star B.J. Upton and slugger Carlos Pena. If they ever get the pitching, they’ll finally become competitive.

18.Yanks sign former Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

Impact: Impending doom as ex-failed Cub tandem Hawkins and Kyle Farn$worth are now being asked to get the ball to Mariano Rivera. That’s only if Joba Chamberlain really is moving to the rotation. Think maybe there’s a change of heart similar to last year with Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon?

19.Brewers sign former Boston reliever Eric Gagne to a one-year $10 million deal.

Impact: What would the former lights out juiced closer of the Dodgers have received if he could actually get batters out? It’s no secret that the recently turned 32 year-old out of Montreal is a shell of himself. Is it worth the gamble for a young Brewer team which could win the NL Central? It better be or someone’s got a lot of ’splaining to do.

20.Nationals sign former Met backstop Paul Lo Duca.

Impact: Gagne’s former battery mate whose name was pretty rampant in the Mitchell Report ironically is in DC where for some inexplicable reason only known to our government, they refuse to ask a guy who allegedly recruited then Dodger teammates to juice for any explanation while they chase Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite. Huh? So it’s okay to chase established stars but not a catcher who was pretty good and had a very questionable past if you buy everything in that report.

On the field, the 35 year-old Brooklyn native plays hard and hates when teammates don’t bring it everyday. His heavy criticism of Met teammates is why he’s no longer around. We’ll see how he does on a younger Nats’ team in the same division.

Next: More breakdown of the offseason