Zito's deal would burden Rangers  —  The Rangers got some good news Thursday.  They aren't going to be the ones to overpay Barry Zito.  —  Texas fans should embrace the Giants' decision to lure Zito across the Bay Bridge with a seven-year, $126-million contract.

No ace in the hole  —  When word began spreading that Barry Zito was handed the winning Power Ball ticket by the Giants on Thursday, one major league executive chuckled and said, "someone better talk Omar [Minaya] off the ledge."  It was meant as a joke.  Then again, with the Mets' starting rotation full …

Yanks, D-Backs close to Unit deal  —  The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive suitors for Randy Johnson and sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week.

Murcer surgery called a success  —  Bobby Murcer emerged in good spirits yesterday from six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor and, according to close family sources, the Yankee legend's doctor was "completely happy" with how the operation went.  —  According to former Yankee publicist Marty Appel …

Ramirez sidelined with sore shoulder  —  Marlins shortstop to miss rest of Winter League  —  MIAMI (AP) — Hanley Ramirez, this year's top rookie in the National League, will miss the rest of the Dominican winter league season because of a left shoulder strain, but the Florida Marlins shortstop …

A 'no' for Big Mac  —  Tainted McGwire fails to make my Hall of Fame ballot  —  Also in this column:  —  Upon seeing my filled-out Hall of Fame ballot, some will call me lenient, say I'm a soft touch or maybe even claim I'm a little too giddy with spiked eggnog this Holiday season.

Giants now have shot at NL West crown  —  It's a Happy New Year for Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants.  —  The classy left-hander surprised a lot of people when he decided to remain in the Bay Area and inked a seven-year, $126 million pact with the Giants, the largest contract ever given …

Brewers sign Suppan to $42 million, 4-year deal  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — NL championship series MVP Jeff Suppan signed his $42 million, four-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday after he passed a physical.  —  The Brewers announced the deal on Christmas Eve, but it was contingent on the physical.

Marlins sign infielder Aaron Boone  —  MIAMI — The Florida Marlins today announced the signing of infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year contract.  The announcement was made by Marlins Executive Vice President and General Manager Larry Beinfest.  —  Boone, 33, spent the past two seasons with Cleveland …

Tribe among Mulder's three suitors  —  Agent Gregg Clifton said Thursday that the Indians, Texas and St. Louis are the three finalists in the bidding for injured left-hander Mark Mulder.  —  Mulder wants a two-year deal to keep his options open as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder.

Ringolsby: Endorsed checks for Gwynn, Ripken  —  Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. represented what baseball would like to be during their playing careers.  —  Each played for only one team - Gwynn with San Diego for 20 years and Ripken with Baltimore for 21 - ignoring the lure of the bright lights …

Bombers reunion on tap in April  —  The Big Cat's big honor, induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, will likely extend beyond a formal banquet.  The Rockies are planning to honor the Blake Street Bombers in conjunction with Andres Galarraga's induction on April 10.

Larry Beinfest  —  Marlins  —  2006 highlights: Beinfest could already boast sculpting a World Series champion in 2003, but last season the front office did some of its finest work.  Faced with the task of trading all of the club's high-priced veterans, Beinfest and his lieutenants assembled …

More Fun With Rotation Numbers  —  My article on Wednesday, How Good Is Your #4 Starter, presented some counterintuitive findings on starting rotations, such as—big surprise—how good an average #4 starter is.  Due to injuries and the related fact that the guy who starts the year …