With an attractive guest, the addition of an auction, and a good cause added in, the Portland Sea Dogs are upgrading their annual Hot Stove Dinner (now called the Hot Stove Dinner and Auction).

This season's event will be Friday, Jan. 9, at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland. Former Sea Dogs starter Justin Masterson will be the featured guest. Masterson is now a Red Sox reliever (and future starter?).

Have not heard of many teams rushing to make offers to Jason Varitek, despite Scott Boras' spin on Varitek's leadership and winning percentage.

The speculation is that Varitek will sign a two-year deal with Boston (maybe even at a generous $10-million per, although the Red Sox could offer less), unless someone comes out of nowhere and offers a 3-year deal.

Varitek turns 37 next April 11.

The Boston Red Sox added three players to their 40-man roster, including one former Sea Dog (left-handed reliever Hunter Jones) and one current Dog (catcher Mark Wagner), and Class A left-handed starter Felix Doubront.

Baseball America is cranking out its top 10 prospects lists for every organization. Those lists will expand to top 30 when BA puts out its wonderful Prospects Handbook.

The Top 10:

Dustin Pedroia appears to be the favorite for the American MVP award, which will be announced this afternoon.

He's the smallish second baseman who plays with grit. It is easy to admire his game. He also is considered the best fielder (Gold Glove) and hitter (Silver Slugger) at his position.

But there are a lot of candidates for this year's prize.

And it should go to a former Sea Dogs infielder now playing for the Red Sox ... but not Pedroia. Give the hardware to Kevin Youkilis.

Would the Red Sox trade one bad contract for another?

And who gets the National League MVP Award that will be announced today?

To answer the first one, I'll submit a bold "maybe."

To the second: Albert Pujols.

First, let's look at the rumored deal proposal between the Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankees traded some spare parts to get first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox.

Does that mean the Yankees are out of the bidding for Mark Teixeira?

No. But maybe it tempers the Yankees' all-out approach to get him. The Pinstripes need pitching and CC Sabathia is the prime target. New York will be spending big bucks for him and maybe more arms.

Getting Swisher means the Yankees have an alternative at first and don't HAVE to get Teixeira.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox lurk nearby.

Mark Wagner is batting .319 and a trio of relievers are looking strong in the various fall and winter leagues going on.

Wagner, who still may be considered the Red Sox best catching prospect (depending on your opinion of Luis Expositio), has rebounded from a slow start in the Arizona Fall league. He also has 3 home runs and 7 RBI in 15 games.

Outfielder Josh Reddick also had a tough start in the AFL, and is now batting .230 (3 HR, 12 RBI) in 18 games. Reddick is cold and hot. He recently went 7-for-16 in a four-game stretch, with two home runs.

Well, they couldn't keep raising prices every year, could they?

The Boston Red Sox announced today that they will not raise any of their ticket prices for 2009. It is the first time in 14 years the franchise has held ticket prices.

"We have been listening to fans, friends, and family about the challenges they are facing in light of the current adverse economic conditions," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in a press release.

The first time tickets will go on sale is the annual "Christmas at Fenway" event on Dec. 13. More details will be released later.

Here are the individual game ticket prices:

By dumping Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox freed up salary, but they also lost a very big bat in the middle of the order (and, yes, that would have made a difference against the Rays in the ALCS).

The Red Sox middle of the order declined even more at the end of 2008 because of Mike Lowell's playoff-ending hip injury, and David Ortiz's sore wrist.

Boston can only hope Ortiz will be better after an off-season of rest.

But what of Lowell? Should Boston seek an upgrade and go after Mark Teixeira (moving Kevin Youkilis to third)?

For the second time in his last three starts in the Arizona Fall League, Clay Buchholz did not look sharp. Buchholz lasted 3 2/3 innings on Monday (5 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 5 K). He gave up a 3-run homer to Brett Wallace, the Cardinals' first-round draft pick.

In five starts in the league for prospects, Buchholz is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA. On Oct. 22, he gave up 4 runs on 7 hits and a walk.

Buchholz is attempting to rebound from a disappointing 2008, which began in the majors and ended up back in Portland. Just think if Buchholz continued his development last year and provided the Red Sox a solid No. 4 starter - think that would have helped in the ALCS, let alone in the race for the AL East title?