ZITO'S SLIP IS SHOWING  —  There is doubt steeped all over Barry Zito's situation.  Primarily, it is doubt about whether he would take less money in New York or more money in Texas.  —  But there also is doubt about the pitcher himself: Whether he's already slipping, whether he's worth …

DOUG: I DIG YANKS  —  Doug Mientkiewicz would love to play for the Yankees, but if he doesn't, the free agent says another team is going to get a completely healthy first baseman.  —  "I am doing great," said Mientkiewicz, who underwent back surgery in late August to repair a herniated disc that invaded his nerve root.

Rangers' Gagne OK with a change  —  New Rangers closer says he's on track for pitching in the spring  —  ARLINGTON - Eric Gagne grew up idolizing John Wetteland.  Now, he'll get the chance to imitate him.  —  The Rangers will ask Gagne, who signed a one-year deal worth $6 million in base salary Tuesday …

Philly No Longer Has The Answer  —  Sure I had various players' jerseys as a kid, but as an adult, I've only ever purchased one uniform of a professional athlete.  It's a retro red, white, and blue; it reps our city with PHILA on the front, a number 3 and Iverson on the back.

White to sign with Twins  —  Rondell White and the Twins are close to a deal that would guarantee him $2.75 million next season, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.  The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the week, pending him passing a physical.

Yankees Are Taking a Look at Loretta  —  The Yankees' search for a first baseman has veered from one veteran to another, with a homegrown player and a Rule 5 draft pick mixed in.  The latest name to surface is Mark Loretta, a free agent, who spent last season as the second baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

Agent says Pirates among top suitors for Suppan  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates' hot-and-cold pursuit of free-agent starter Jeff Suppan apparently is heating up again.  —  They are one of three teams making the most serious bid for his services …

Veteran Klesko a Giant; now what about Bonds?  —  Ex-Padre gets one-year deal; club still working on language of Barry's contract  —  Ryan Klesko became the latest in a swell of former San Diego Padres to follow manager Bruce Bochy up the coast Tuesday, when the Giants signed the veteran …

Matsuzaka will give this a spin  —  Lifestyle issues aside, the biggest change Daisuke Matsuzaka may face here is pitching in a five-man rotation, according to lefthanded pitcher Alex Graman, a former Yankee farmhand who last season spent his first year in Japan as Matsuzaka's teammate on the Seibu Lions.

Hendry nears deal with Floyd  —  Cubs general manager Jim Hendry began recruiting Cliff Floyd as the baseball coach at Creighton nearly 16 years ago.  Now he's finally on the verge of reeling him in.  —  Sources said late Tuesday the Cubs were close to signing Floyd to an incentive-laden deal …