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.

Rangers add Gagne to bullpen mix as new closer  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Eric Gagne passed an extensive physical and is now the closer of the Texas Rangers.  —  The Rangers on Tuesday completed a one-year deal with Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner and one of the most dominant closers …

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 …

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.

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.

Cards Notebook: Simontacchi, King sign minor league deals with Nats  —  Simontacchi, King sign with Nats  —  Two former Cardinals pitchers will be competing for major league jobs with Washington next spring.  —  Two seasons removed from his last major league appearance …

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 …

THT Mailbag  —  Sometimes, it seems like baseball is still stuck in the good old '50s.  Last week, multiple maintstream media outlets touted San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman as a strong candidate for NFL Defensive MVP, just games after he returned from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's steroid policy.

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.