Bonderman agrees to four-year deal  —  After career season, young righty gets $38 million from Detroit  —  DETROIT — The Tigers took their biggest step in signing their group of young stars to long-term contracts on Monday, agreeing to a four-year, $38 million deal with right-handed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman.

Twins call Radke press conference  —  Pitcher expected to announce retirement after 12 seasons  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have called a 4 p.m. CT press conference for Tuesday, when Brad Radke is expected to officially announce his retirement.  —  The announcement will end …

Pirates sign Cuban, Japanese pitchers  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates have not been known for having an international flavor, but they signed two starting pitchers from uncommon locales today: Yoslan Herrera, a Cuban defector, and Masumi Kuwata, a Japanese national.

Marcus Giles, Padres closing in on deal  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Free agent second baseman Marcus Giles and the San Diego Padres were closing in on a deal that would allow him to play with his older brother, Brian, on their hometown team.  —  "We're putting in a lot of time and effort to get a deal done …

Trade for Vidro becomes official  —  Mariners plan to use newcomer as designated hitter  —  SEATTLE — After days of speculation, the Mariners officially obtained Jose Vidro from the Washington Nationals on Monday in exchange for outfielder Chris Snelling and pitcher Emiliano Fruto and cash considerations.

Is Zito the best free-agent choice?  —  Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions … I like the Gagne signing.  You never have enough arms in the bullpen.  Just a thought, Carlos Zambrano is a free agent next year.  Wouldn't it be a better idea to throw a $100 million contract at him, rather then Barry Zito?

Meet the new boss?  —  Zito, Boras seem likely to get together with Minaya shortly  —  The Mets are moving forward with their plans to meet face-to-face with Barry Zito, their top remaining free-agent target.  —  "We are looking at doing something next week with Zito," Mets general manager Omar Minaya wrote in an e-mail yesterday.

Igawa, Yanks reach 5-year deal  —  The New York Yankees and Kei Igawa both played second fiddle in the posting sweepstakes.  Igawa, though, got a first-rate deal it was learned on Monday, agreeing to a five-year, 20 million dollars contract with the Bronx Bombers.

Wells in elite company  —  $126M deal sixth largest in history  —  · Vernon Wells said he wanted to take care of his kids' kids.  He'll get that chance with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  The All-Star center fielder and the Blue Jays agreed Friday night to a $126 million …

Bargains scarce for Marlins  —  Larry Beinfest never thinks about being one of those Richie Rich general managers.  He knows what the Marlins can't do.  They can't stroll down the free-agent shopping aisle and, if they need relievers, just throw a couple in the cart.  —  And that $15 million outfielder?

'07 lineup a challenge for Melvin  —  Manager mulls options at leadoff, cleanup spots  —  There are two forces of energy at work within the Diamondbacks' brain trust.  Both involve guesswork and gambles.  Each includes strategy and an amount of secrecy.  But neither may be unveiled until …

Closer closing in on joining Rangers  —  Eric Gagne will be in Arlington today to take his physical exam in anticipation of signing a one-year contract with the Rangers.  If all goes well, Gagne will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday.  —  Gagne has pitched only 15 1/3 innings the last two years because of elbow problems.

LaRoche rumors just won't stop  —  Ah, yes, another 70-degree global-warming December day, another Adam LaRoche trade rumor.  —  Where there's this much smoke _ the trade rumors, not the planet _ there's usually fire, so don't be too surprised if the Braves first baseman is traded before opening day.

Report: Drew to get second opinion  —  Red Sox concerned about shoulder; deal not yet finalized  —  BOSTON — Monday could be a pivotal day in the effort to finalize J.D. Drew's five-year contract with the Red Sox.  —  The Boston Globe reported Sunday that according to a Major League source familiar …

Stopgap center fielder an option for Hendry  —  Veteran could fill bill in case Pie not ready  —  With little available in the free-agent market, the Cubs might elect to sign a veteran, defensive-minded outfielder who can play center field in case Felix Pie doesn't prove in spring training he's ready to become an everyday player.

Williams on ball with Hall signing  —  Sometimes small moves can be important ones.  That figures to be the case with the White Sox's signing of backup catcher Toby Hall on Sunday, which completed a productive weekend for general manager Ken Williams.  —  Hall, 31, had been Tampa Bay's primary catcher …