Could Cal Ripken become Orioles owner?  —  The latest talks between former Baltimore great Cal Ripken and Orioles owner Peter Angelos about the future of the club involve a new wrinkle.  —  The two are discussing a gradual transfer of ownership from Angelos to a group that would include Ripken, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.

Wells about to sign $126-million extension  —  In one of the bigger upsets of the off-season, the Blue Jays are on the verge of signing center fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126 million contract extension.  —  An agreement between the Jays and Wells is close, according to major-league sources.

Japanese may follow Matsuzaka to Boston  —  But expected torrent of tourists could find it hard to snag tickets  —  Tourists from Osaka react to two geishas in Boston to promote Japan.  By one estimate, a Japanese tourist in Boston spends $3,700, on average.  (DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF/FILE 2000)

Endy's NLCS catch nets TYIB award  —  Outfielder leaped over left-field wall in Game 7 to rob Rolen  —  The baseball left Scott Rolen's bat and was headed for Detroit.  It passed over left field at Shea Stadium in a New York second and over the left-field wall, as well.

Astros slugger Jeff Bagwell retiring  —  HOUSTON —Jeff Bagwell, the face of Houston baseball for a generation with teammate Craig Biggio, will retire Friday after 15 years with the team.  —  The four-time All Star will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement reached …

Organization Of The Year: Los Angeles Dodgers  —  Heading into 2006, the Dodgers had the best farm system in baseball.  —  And while most of their prized prospects were still considered at least a year away, Los Angeles reaped the benefits of its talented system faster than it originally envisioned.

Hot Stove: D-Mat done; moves remain  —  Red Sox drama over, focus shifts to other deals in the works  —  The Daisuke Matsuzaka situation was officially resolved Thursday as the right-hander signed a six-year deal with Boston, but there were also other Hot Stove items of note as Washington closed …

Lopez to move to second in '07  —  Switch-hitter has only played 12 career games at the position  —  One day after it was revealed that the Nationals are close to sending second baseman Jose Vidro to the Mariners for outfielder Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto, pending physicals …

Pirates sign nine minor league free agents  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed the following nine players to minor league contracts with an invitation to major league spring training camp.  —  RHP John Wasdin - Spent the 2006 season in the Texas organization...Went 3-3 with a 2.00 ERA …

The Logical Extension of "Moneyball"  —  OK, this is pretty awesome.  From our friends at The Griddle comes this video of the world's first baseball playing robot.  When they all unite and take over the earth, we will remember this as the first warning sign.  Like you wouldn't take him over Tony Womack.

Club makes contract offer to second baseman Giles  —  General Manager Kevin Towers said he made a contractual offer yesterday to second baseman Marcus Giles, the former Braves regular who became a free agent on Tuesday night.  The proposal is believed to be worth $3 million to $4 million.

The light beyond Rocker  —  For seven years, I have done my best to take the high road.  —  When, after my initial profile of John Rocker appeared in the Dec. 23, 1999, issue of Sports Illustrated, there were literally hundreds of interview requests from print, radio and TV.  I turned them down.