Yankees near a Bobby prize  —  Close to bringing Phils' RF to Bronx  —  The Yankees moved closer last night to landing Bobby Abreu, according to sources, as the field for the Phillies outfielder was narrowed to just three teams - with the Bombers believed to have the best chance of landing him.

Rangers in arms race against the clock  —  With deadline nearing, gaps in the rotation and the bullpen loom large  —  ARLINGTON - The hunt for pitching goes on.  Time, however, is running out.  —  With less than 48 hours until the waivers-free trading deadline expires …

Tejada happy with O's … On a day when Miguel Tejada affirmed his desire to stay in Baltimore, the Orioles worked late into last night, mulling offers for their star shortstop.  —  The Los Angeles Angels, once considered the front-runner to land Tejada if he is moved …

With Soriano as bait, Bowden is big fish  —  As soon as Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden made the announcement late at night during the final full evening of baseball's December meetings in Dallas, the snickers started.  —  There's Trader Jim making a splash for the purpose of making a splash.

Loria: trades not expected  —  Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria joined the club's three top-ranking baseball officials in Philadelphia on Saturday, but general manager Larry Beinfest cautioned against reading anything into that with Monday afternoon's nonwaiver trade deadline approaching.

Win streak ticket to NL West lead  —  If the Rockies are going to put together a season-changing run, they will have to buck recent history.  —  Winning seven, eight or nine games in a row could vault them to the front of the pack in the tight National League West.

Confused Lee Smith still waiting  —  Lee Smith will watch today's presentation and all the replays with pride, of course, because Bruce Sutter's a bud and a brother of sorts.  Smith will be happy that somebody, anybody, of his ninth-inning ilk made it to Cooperstown.

'Bingo' is special to Jones  —  Actor thinks movie about black ballplayers was misunderstood.  —  With his signature baritone voice, James Earl Jones has compiled an award-winning acting career that spans decades and several unique roles.  —  For sports fans, however, Jones is a central figure in a number of baseball films.

Old-school handiwork  —  Nothing against Gary Matthews' catch, but he was wearing a glove.  The defensive play of the year was made last Sunday by San Diego catcher Rob Bowen, who caught a ball barehanded to tag out Steve Finley at the end of a rundown.  His glove had been knocked off …

Here's the deal  —  Teams getting ready to bust a move  —  COOPERSTOWN - Let's be perfectly frank here.  As much as fans, talk-radio hosts and the rumor-a-minute mongers at ESPN have desperately sought to keep alive the notion of a Dontrelle Willis or a Barry Zito suddenly becoming available …

Take Me Out to the Ballpark: 189 of Them  —  The Curemobile, Cass Sapir's nickname for his exhausted but feisty Honda, rumbled down a Maryland interstate Tuesday on the way to field of dreams No. 126.  Only 63 more ballparks after that.  In 45 days.  —  In the car were a summer's supply …

Cubs wait for calls on Maddux  —  Greg Maddux never has changed teams unless it was his choice.  That will be the case again should the starting pitcher leave the Cubs by Monday.  —  Maddux, who never has been traded, might be the most attractive commodity the Cubs have as the non-waiver …

Devil Rays Find Weaknesses in Yanks' Pitching  —  Jonny Gomes and Damon Hollins celebrating the Devil Rays' victory.  Hollins, who hit his 11th homer, drove in five runs.  —  When a team as bad as Tampa Bay trounces a team as good as the Yankees — as the Devil Rays did by 19-6 yesterday …