Rangers feel they can make their pitch  —  In a sense, signing Barry Zito would have been like winning the lottery for the Rangers, although in the player-friendly economics of baseball, winning the lottery is a costly experience for teams.  —  Adding Zito to the Rangers' rotation …

Pitch to acquire Lawrence could pay off soon  —  No one has seen free agent Brian Lawrence throw more this offseason than the Rockies.  This week, they could learn whether their pitch to land the veteran right-hander is successful.  —  Page Odle, Lawrence's agent, expects to speak with the Rockies today or Wednesday.

Pirates bringing back utilityman Hernandez  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates will bring back utilityman Jose Hernandez for a third tour of duty.  —  Hernandez, 36, and the team have agreed to terms on a one-year, minor-league contract for which he would receive $900,000 at the major-league level.

In the Long Run, Great Arms Come With Big Risks  —  Pete Seeger wrote it and Peter, Paul and Mary sang it and made it hugely popular during the Vietnam War.  It could apply to the war in Iraq, but the refrain in "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" applies to baseball as well:  —  "When will they ever learn?

Howard still looking for new agent  —  The Phillies' MVP slugger may hire Leon Rose, who represents Allen Iverson and other NBA stars.  —  Ryan Howard recently fired agent Larry Reynolds, but it remains unclear who his next agent will be.  —  The buzz in baseball Saturday …

MONEY DELAYS UNIT TRADE  —  Randy Johnson has returned home from his vacation, and now he must figure out if he is going to stay in Arizona for the rest of the year.  —  With New Year's Day now past, Johnson is expected to become more involved in the decision-making process that most likely will make him an ex-Yankee soon.

Players now believe Cowher is quitting  —  By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Some Steelers players came from yesterday's meeting with coach Bill Cowher believing even more firmly that he will quit as their coach.  —  Cowher met with his players and assistant coaches …

Williams killed when limo sprayed with bullets  —  DENVER — Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed early Monday when his white stretch Hummer was sprayed by bullets after a nightclub dispute following a New Year's Eve party.  —  Police have no motive and no indication the 24-year-old Williams …

Nats hope younger is better in 2007  —  Acta believes Washington can compete in National League  —  The Nationals had a veteran squad the past two seasons and the play on the field wasn't very good, and the end result was a fifth-place finish in 2005 and '06.

The Virtual 1946-1949 St. Louis Cardinals (Part 1)  —  The St. Louis Cardinals of the 1930s are among the most colorful and well-remembered ball clubs in history.  With a lineup chock-full of lively, high-spirited stars, a high proportion of them country boys recruited from the rural hinterlands …

Rangers join A's in Piazza hunt  —  The A's biggest competition for free-agent catcher Mike Piazza might come from within their own division.  —  The Rangers have shown steady interest in Piazza, FOXSports.com has learned, envisioning him as lineup protection for Mark Teixeira.

Ex-Brooklyn Dodger Koy dead at 97  —  BELLVILLE, Texas (AP) — Ernie Koy, the former Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder who homered in his first at-bat in the majors, died Monday.  He was 97.  —  Koy's family said he died in his sleep at home, longtime University of Texas sports information director Bill Little said.

Memo to Omar: Just Don't Do It  —  Lastings Milledge has been mentioned in so many trade talks that it's surprising the Sixers didn't get him back for Allen Iverson.  The latest rumor has him being shipped to the A's for Joe Blanton.  —  Omar Minaya needs to be very careful about what he gets …