In search of bat, O's make Huff an offer  —  Still looking to add an impact bat to the middle of their lineup, the Orioles made a contract offer yesterday to Aubrey Huff, one of the most accomplished players left on the free- agent market.  —  Exact details of the contract offer are unknown …

IN THE 'ZONA  —  UNIT-TO-D'BACKS DOWN TO THE MONEY  —  THE Yankees and Diamondbacks have inched closer to a Randy Johnson trade, and there is now such momentum, executives from both organizations strongly believe a deal will ultimately be completed despite what one termed "a lot of issues to resolve."

Pos-itive Royals thoughts  —  WARNING: The following column contains blatantly positive comments about the Kansas City Royals, including compliments of the Glass family, continuing belligerent optimism about the Gil Meche signing and a closer look at how general manager Dayton Moore intends …

Howard fires agent; new deal could come soon  —  In what could be a significant move in the pursuit of a big payday, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has dismissed agent Larry Reynolds.  —  According to the Phillies, Howard, who won the 2006 National League MVP in his first full season, is looking for new representation.

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Zito deal gives 126 million reasons to expect Santana will be gone  —  The lefty's Giants contract means Johan Santana's price tag will be well out of reach of the Twins' budget.  —  The Twins' offseason officially became depressing on Thursday.  This happened when Barry Zito …

Dice-K is already pitching for Sox — in Japanese ads  —  Team hopes to exploit star's power to gain marketing clout over there  —  Newly minted Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka donned a Red Sox uniform to make his latest pitch in Japan.  —  The Japanese baseball star, also known as …

Signing doesn't make sense for Zito, Giants  —  In the run-up to his recent signing, Barry Zito said his aim was to join a team with a legitimate shot at winning the World Series.  However, his recent decision to ink with the San Francisco Giants suggests other priorities.

A's have options to fill Zito's spot  —  KENNEDY, SAARLOOS, HALSEY TOP CANDIDATES  —  Preparation for life after Barry Zito started at the 2005 All-Star break, when the A's acquired Joe Kennedy in a trade for fan favorite Eric Byrnes.  —  The future Zito-less rotation was also evident …

Assessing baseball's offseason  —  Well, I hope that was fun for everybody.  —  Free agency isn't really over until the last owner overextends himself, and so the San Francisco Giants ponied up for Barry Zito, and for almost twice what it cost to build the Golden Gate Bridge.

Murcer recovering from surgery, watches bowl game  —  NEW YORK — Former New York Yankees player Bobby Murcer watched the Independence Bowl from his Houston hospital bed after surgery to remove a brain tumor.  —  Murcer, now a Yankees broadcaster, was alert and joking with staff and family members …

Marlins ink Boone to one-year contract  —  Infielder will back up at first and third and come off bench  —  MIAMI — Scratch the need for a veteran backup, right-handed hitting infielder off the Marlins' shopping list.  —  Quiet for much of the offseason, the Marlins on Friday filled …