Sox, Boras still at odds: Matsuzaka talks on hold  —  Talks between the Red Sox [team stats] and the agent representing Daisuke Matsuzaka were limited and unproductive over the weekend, increasing the possibility that the Seibu Lions star will not be signed by Thursday night's deadline …

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.

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 …

LATEST NEWS: Pirates to sign pitcher Kuwata; LaRoche deal still on?  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to filling their need for a veteran right-handed starter by signing long-time Japanese League pitcher Masumi Kuwata as a free agent, baseball sources from Japan told the Times on Monday.

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.

Future uncertain for lame-duck Torre  —  Soon enough, Joe Torre will find himself in the middle of the clubhouse at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., opening spring training with the kind of speech that's characterized his 12-year run as the Yankees' manager.  —  The words will be professional …

Prospectus Q&A  —  Freddy Sanchez  —  A 29-year-old infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Freddy Sanchez won the National League batting title in 2006, posting a .344 average.  A lifetime .313 hitter in 1,104 big league at-bats, the native of Burbank, California also led the NL with 53 doubles …

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 …

Sacrifices made for difficult players  —  Stars like Bonds, Ramirez and Clemens get certain privileges from their respective teams  —  Here's a new one: teams asking for an indictment clause in player contracts.  —  That's apparently one issue that's holding up Barry Bonds' $16 million re-signing …

Oliver leaves Mets to head to AL, Angels … Free-agent reliever Darren Oliver has reached preliminary agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year contract with an option for 2008, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  It's believed the total package could be worth $3.5 million if the option year vests.

Team Andy shovels, and it's not snow  —  It might be the season of searching for a good deal, but if you're buying the stuff Team Andy is shoveling, then you probably shop at the same place as New York's, make that, Deer Park's favorite son.  —  It's that place where defective merchandise comes cheap.

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 …

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 …

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.