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 …

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 …

Minaya's off-season enhances his rep  —  New York Mets GM Omar Minaya has already established himself as one of the most effective execs in the game today, and this winter has done nothing to change that.  —  Since the Mets came up short in the NLCS, Minaya has re-upped with Tom Glavine …

Royals' arms ready to go for 2007  —  Moore has worked to beef up Kansas City's pitching  —  KANSAS CITY — He should slap a big stamp on the pitching staff: "Made by Dayton Moore."  —  Moore wasn't in the Royals general manager's chair for long before observing that the club's biggest need was pitching.

Rockies push to improve in 2007  —  Ownership puts pressure on Colorado to boost record  —  DENVER — If you liked the forward steps the Rockies took in 2006 and believe they'll continue moving forward in 2007, the club agrees.  —  Certainly, fans were jarred by the trade …

Inside Dish: Venezuelan political climate influences MLB  —  With the recent reelection of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, major league teams are growing more wary of sending players there for winter ball or even having their Venezuelan stars visit home during the offseason.

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.

Brewers need health on their side in '07  —  Milwaukee ready to move on from an injury-riddled 2006  —  MILWAUKEE — Good riddance, 2006.  Bring on 2007.  —  The Brewers will look to move on from an injury-riddled 2006, when two-fifths of the starting rotation and three-fourths …

D-Backs closer to Johnson reunion  —  If Randy Johnson lands anywhere this offseason, it is more and more likely that it will be right back home with the Diamondbacks.  —  As the D-Backs continued negotiations with the New York Yankees during the long holiday weekend, "there is a deal to be made …

Mets put '06 behind to make another run  —  With physical injuries healing, club plans to shed mental scars  —  NEW YORK — The physical strains of 172 baseball games — at least four fewer than they had hoped to play — became apparent shortly after the premature end of the Mets' 2006 season.

Cooper: Get Buehrle back on right track  —  Must replace Garcia, McCarthy  —  When you ask White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper who the team's fifth starter will be Opening Day, he hopes he doesn't forget anyone from a long list of aspirants.  —  Cooper mentions six off the top of his head.

Concepcion waiting for his Hall call  —  Legendary Reds shortstop has two years of eligibility left  —  CINCINNATI — Who says No. 13 is an unlucky number?  —  For many shortstops, especially those hailing from Latin America, wearing that number on their jersey would be viewed as an honor and privilege.

Bulked up Pedro aiming for midseason  —  Pedro Martinez is a bigger story than ever, apparently.  Though the chance of the Mets ace pitching before the All-Star break is quite slim, the pitcher himself is no longer so.  While rehabilitating his surgically repaired right shoulder, he has added 10 pounds of self-described muscle.

SCOUTING REPORT BY STATS INC.  —  Greinke has outstanding command of a wide repertoire.  Although he can hurl his four-seam fastball in the mid-90s, he prefers to take a little off to disrupt a hitter's timing, or induce movement by varying his grip.  His two-seam fastball has great late sinking action …