Barry, Mets closer?  —  The Mets believe their chances of signing free agent Barry Zito improved last night with the news that the Rangers, apparently discouraged about their own pursuit of Zito, traded top prospects to the White Sox for highly regarded righthander Brandon McCarthy.

Growing Hart family rings in Christmas  —  Brewers outfielder talks tradition and celebrating in a new home  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers outfielders sound like they've been swapping talking points this offseason.  —  "I'm as curious to know what will happen as anyone else," Corey Hart says.

Comfort zone  —  "You have to feel it in your gut.  And when it happens, you have to feel like you're all in.  This opportunity with the Padres felt that way."  —  Before he ever was known professionally as a left-hander, his job title was "seventh hand."

Helping Their Teams, Owners Can't Help Themselves  —  On opening day of the 2002 season, Gary Matthews Jr. batted for Al Leiter, the Mets' starting pitcher against Pittsburgh, in the sixth inning, flying out to Armando Rios in left field.  The next day, the Mets traded Matthews, an outfielder …

A case of natural selection  —  Rice's chance for Hall juiced by comparison  —  Jim Rice tries not to think about it anymore.  When he does it only raises his ire and his blood pressure.  All of the instincts he has about what's right and what's wrong are thrown askew.

Baines had a knack for the big hit  —  Left-handed DH makes strong case for the position  —  CHICAGO — Mention the name Harold Baines to anyone associated with the White Sox organization, and the words "classy," "dignified" and "low-key" are often used to describe the likeable Baines as a person.

Bucks 115, Nets 104  —  Milwaukee won its fourth straight game, knocking off New Jersey 115-104 at the Bradley Center.  —  Mo Williams continued his hot stretch, scoring a game-high 32 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists.  —  Andrew Bogut posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Gamble taken on Hernandez  —  Having long ago purchased their big-ticket items for the holidays, the Red Sox [team stats] yesterday picked up an extra stocking stuffer.  —  The team signed right-hander Runelvys Hernandez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The Best Seasons Ever Recorded  —  For your holiday consideration, here are the best WARP3 figures ever posted.  In the name of contrived drama, we're listing them with the very best saved for last.  In the name of diversity, we are listing the 10 players who have posted the highest figures, not just the 10 highest figures.

Villanueva part of Brewers' backup plan  —  If the Milwaukee Brewers fail in their attempt to sign free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan, 23-year-old right-hander Carlos Villanueva becomes the leading candidate for the final spot in their starting rotation.  —  Villanueva was impressive during …