Hopes of a nation are riding on ace  —  TOKYO — Even if it sometimes has taken longer than expected, Daisuke Matsuzaka has always delivered, and Japan's fans are counting on him to do so again.  —  As the deadline approaches for the right-handed wunderkind to put pen to paper and officially …

Offers for Barmes don't sway Rockies  —  Clint Barmes' plummeting average and Jason Jennings' soaring price tag have made them attractive trade targets.  The Cardinals, Rangers and Brewers have explored deals for Barmes, with Milwaukee offering center fielder Brady Clark.

M's agree to terms with starting pitcher Miguel Batista  —  The newest starting pitcher to join the Mariners doesn't want anyone pointing out how old he is.  —  Right-hander Miguel Batista knows there will be skeptics noting he'll turn 36 before the season begins.

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 …

Yanks promote Mattingly to bench coach … NEW YORK — The New York Yankees finalized their coaching staff for the 2007 season on Monday, promoting Don Mattingly to bench coach and naming Kevin Long hitting coach.  —  One of the most popular players in franchise history …

Maz is back with Mets as broadcaster  —  Former player, manager will be SNY's lead studio analyst  —  NEW YORK — Lee Mazzilli, once the Mets' centerfold center fielder and the face of the organization, is now one of the voices for SportsNet New York, the Mets' television home.

Angels sign Oliver to one-year deal  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) - Reliever Darren Oliver and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year contract worth US$1.75 million Monday with a club option for a second season.  —  Oliver appeared in 45 games for the New York Mets last season, going 4-1 with a 3.44 earned-run average.

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.

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.

THT Mailbag  —  When we first announced the mailbag a couple weeks ago, I felt like a teenager waiting for his first date.  What if she doesn't show up?  What if she only writes questions that we can't answer?  I began compulsively checking my email every few minutes for new mailbag questions …

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 …

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.

Yankees Close On Cuban Defector  —  The Yankees had an active summer on the international front, and that aggressiveness hasn't stopped, even though the organization currently does not have a director of international scouting.  —  Mark Newman, the Yankees' senior vice president for baseball operations,