A Closer Look at James Loney  —  Today, I will continue my series on prospects who I believe are widely underrated with an examination of the past and future of James Loney, a first baseman in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.  Loney won a batting title in the Pacific Coast League in 2006 …

Pettitte no bargain for Yankees  —  Enough fawning over the Yankees' signing of free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte.  From the size of the contract to the condition of Pettitte's elbow to the decline in his 2006 performance, the deal is not as attractive as it appears.  —  First, the contract.

Tumbling Dice...Pitcher not yet falling Sox way  —  With Thursday's midnight deadline for signing Daisuke Matsuzaka looming, the Red Sox are in a position of wondering, as one well-placed source said yesterday, whether agent Scott Boras is "running out the clock'' on negotiations.

Rangers close to deal with Lofton, interested in Gagne  —  Veteran would fill Rangers' CF vacancy; Gagne also on radar  —  The Rangers' top option in center field appears to be Kenny Lofton.  —  Club sources confirmed that the club is close to agreeing to terms with Lofton in an attempt …

Outfielder-first baseman signs with Yankees … SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic — The New York Yankees signed Cuban prospect Juan Miranda to a four-year contract worth $2 million, the player told ESPNdeportes.com.  —  The deal, which includes a signing bonus of $500,000 …

Cards may need time to see all of Carl's files  —  The Cardinals have asked to view Carl Pavano's expansive medical records, according to a report in yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a sign that the Yankees might be able to get out from under that albatross of a contract.

Spree at last, but is it enough?  —  What's next for the Cubs  —  When the dust settles — pending a completed deal with right-hander Jason Marquis — the Cubs will have spent more than $300 million on free agents weeks before the first official day of winter.

Yanks mull Mientkiewicz  —  Doug Mientkiewicz once sparked controversy and drew the Red Sox's ire by trying to keep the ball that ended the Curse of the Bambino in the 2004 World Series.  —  Now Mientkiewicz might incite the Red Sox once again, or at least their fans.

Royals front-office shakeup continues as VP announces departure  —  David Witty is departing the club after 21 years to take a job with the University of Nebraska.  —  The shakeup in the Royals' front office continues to mirror the club's effort to overhaul its on-field roster.

Pettitte buys Yankees some time with young arms  —  Phil Hughes, Jeff Karstens and the rest of the young starting pitchers the Yankees are stockpiling don't know it yet but they caught a break when Andy Pettitte agreed to terms on Friday.  —  The addition of Pettitte relieves any pressure …

A chilly reception for the Cards in Orlando  —  Plan A involved a push for Alfonso Soriano and lefthander Randy Wolf.  —  Plan B left them as one of two finalists for Jason Schmidt.  —  Three days after their Disney World winter meetings concluded uneventfully at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the Cardinals are left to pursue Plan C.

Acta reassures Church  —  New Nationals manager talks to young outfielder  —  Nationals manager Manny Acta placed a call to outfielder Ryan Church on Friday, with Acta giving Church nothing but positive reinforcement.  —  Church, according to Acta, was happy to hear from his new boss …

Mesa reaches deal to pitch for Tigers in 19th season … Veteran reliever Jose Mesa has reached preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers that will pay him about $2.5 million, two baseball sources said Sunday.  —  The deal will be completed when Mesa passes a physical exam this week, the sources said.