Bonderman agrees to $38 million, 4-year contract with Tigers  —  DETROIT (AP) — Pitcher Jeremy Bonderman and the Detroit Tigers agreed Monday to a $38 million, four-year contract.  —  Bonderman, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, gets $4.5 million in 2007 …

Mets to visit Zito in California on Tuesday  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Mets executives planned to visit Barry Zito in California on Tuesday for a recruiting visit designed to persuade the free-agent pitcher to sign with New York.  —  Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Omar Minaya …

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.

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 …

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.

Going Deep: Lou Piniella  —  We all knew that the Cubs' hiring Lou Piniella as manager meant they were going to go out and get some veteran talent.  But this is ridiculous.  —  As if to reassure Piniella that Chicago was not Tampa Bay, general manager Jim Hendry opened his suddenly bursting checkbook …

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?

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 …

'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 …

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?

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.

Sox patient on Drew  —  Some kind of issue with J.D. Drew [stats]'s health appears to be delaying the final announcement of the free agent outfielder's new deal with the Red Sox [team stats], but the ballclub does not sound overly concerned.  —  "We're working with the language on the deal with …