Notes: Cirillo likely to join Twins  —  Decision to leave Brewers came down to playing time  —  MILWAUKEE — Jeff Cirillo's heart may stay in Milwaukee, but he is poised to take his bat to Minnesota.  —  One of the Brewers' most popular players and the franchise's career batting average leader …

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 agree to terms with Lofton  —  The Rangers have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton on a one-year deal worth $6 million pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.  —  The 39-year-old gives the Rangers some speed at the top of the lineup and experience in center field.

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.

Leather ball will return on Jan. 1 … In a stunning reversal, NBA commissioner David Stern has decided to shelve the league's new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1.

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 …

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 …

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.

Braves face Tuesday deadline  —  While the rumor-an-hour mill continues grinding, the Braves face a very real decision Tuesday that's probably already been made and may well offend a significant segment of their fan base.  —  Marcus Giles fans, of which there are plenty …

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.

Another CF option gone  —  We've lost out on Juan Pierre (phew!) and Dave Roberts (thank you!), and now it looks like Kenny Lofton is also going to sign elsewhere.  He's been discussed quite a bit as a "cheap" option to the higher-priced CFs out there, and while he may no longer be a plus defender …