Brass heads west to make a Zito pitch  —  The Mets have spent plenty of time discussing Barry Zito - among themselves, with people around the baseball industry, with agent Scott Boras.  Tonight, they'll take the next step.  They'll discuss Zito with Zito himself.

Sox, Drew apart  —  Team has questions on player's shoulder  —  The Red Sox have questions about the condition of J.D. Drew's surgically repaired right shoulder, questions that have kept them from finalizing a deal for the free agent right fielder two weeks after Drew's agent, Scott Boras …

Orioles renew pursuit for LaRoche  —  Holiday morsels:  — The Orioles have renewed their pursuit of Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, this time without offering second baseman Brian Roberts.  —  Earlier this month, Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixed a trade of Roberts and right-hander Hayden Penn …

Stanton's busy; better call Ray King  —  Step One: Sign veteran LOOGY.  —  Step Two: ?????  —  Step Three: Profit!  —  I apologize for succumbing to that annoying little internets cliche, but it is profitable, this LOOGY-hoarding.  Or at least it has been—increasingly so—and I see no reason for that profitability to cease.

Oh, brother!  Padres getting Marcus Giles for second base  —  Signing would limit Walker to utility role  —  Marcus Giles will be joining brother Brian in San Diego.  —  The second baseman has agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008.  —  The announcement could be made as soon as this afternoon or tomorrow.

Yankees reportedly reach agreement with Igawa  —  Looks like the New York Yankees can't get enough of left-handed starters.  —  They already had Randy Johnson.  Then they lured Andy Pettitte back to the Bronx this offseason.  Now, multiple media reports said on Monday night that the Yankees …

Baseball and Casinos Don't Mix, or Do They?  —  What's good for the goose is supposed to be good for the gander, but in this case, who is the goose and who is the gander?  —  This case is about baseball and slot machines, about Steve Swindal and Bob Nutting.  Swindal is one of two managing general partners of the Yankees.

Far different approaches in Windy City this offseason  —  At times, it is difficult to get Chicago's two baseball teams to even acknowledge that the other one even exists.  —  Through the years, the White Sox steadfastly have denied that the Cubs are their competition.

Larry Sherry dies after long battle with cancer  —  LOS ANGELES — Larry Sherry, MVP of the 1959 World Series as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died after a long battle with cancer.  He was 71.  —  Sherry died early Sunday at his home in Mission Viejo, according to his brother …

Phillies and outfielder Werth reach agreement, source says  —  The Phillies continue to look for bullpen help, but in the meantime they have found some outfield depth.  —  A baseball source said yesterday that the Phillies have come to an agreement with outfielder Jayson Werth, who was cut free by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week.

Snelling, Fruto heading to Washington  —  Nationals send veteran second baseman Vidro to Mariners  —  WASHINGTON — A trade agreed upon almost two weeks ago came to fruition on Monday, as the Nationals acquired outfielder Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto from the Mariners …

Radke expected to retire  —  Steady right-hander pitched 12 seasons for Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins righthander Brad Radke scheduled a news conference Tuesday and was expected to announce his retirement.  —  Radke, 34, struggled with injuries in his throwing shoulder …