Pods' payoff pitch to Unit  —  The Yankees are still working to trade Randy Johnson, and while the Diamondbacks still seem like the Big Unit's most likely destination, the Padres have made what a Southern California newspaper termed their "final offer" for Johnson.

Sox set to sign Pineiro to staff  —  In the opinion of his former pitching coach, signing Joel Pineiro is a good gamble because he could be a "high-reward guy."  —  According to a team source, the Red Sox are expected to soon finalize a one-year deal worth $4 million pending a physical …

Nationals still interested in Ohka  —  Righty previously spent three-plus seasons with organization  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals still are looking for starting pitching, and right-hander Tomo Ohka is on the top of the list.  But whether they can sign him is another story.

Utility player gets $4 million, two-year deal  —  Told for years he was too small to play in the big leagues, Jamey Carroll is enjoying a week too good to be true.  The Rockies' utility player signed a two-year, $4 million contract with a club option for a third season Wednesday …

Loretta won't be coming to Rangers  —  Free agent infielder Mark Loretta, to whom the Rangers extended a contract offer last month, has told the club he will sign elsewhere, a club source said Wednesday.  —  That means chances continue to improve that either or both of the club's top …

Veres to rejoin Rockies after hip surgery  —  Minor league deal gives pitcher shot at comeback  —  Dave Veres is hoping to restart his pitching career.  —  At age 40.  —  After having undergone hip-replacement surgery.  —  With the Rockies.  —  Veres has been out of baseball the past two seasons.

But I Regress...  Do you know that thing that statisticians do called regression analysis?  It's when they look at two (or more) numbers to determine how closely correlated they are.  To use a couple of examples I've seen recently, education is correlated with health and the presence …

Twins sign two righties to minors  —  The Twins have signed righthanders Sidney Ponson and Brad Voyles to minor league deals.  —  It proves the Twins haven't settled on using prospects such as righthanders Scott Baker and Matt Garza and lefthander Glen Perkins in the rotation.

Mets target free-agent pitchers  —  The Mets are open to any and all ideas when it comes to improving their starting rotation.  But right now, the most likely path to an upgrade appears to be free agency.  —  While most of the big names have signed, the Mets have interest in Tony Armas Jr. …

Study claims imaging tests show larger rubber core  —  CLEVELAND — A company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer.  —  Universal Medical Systems Inc. said Wednesday …

Cards have chance to keep Mulder  —  As the pursuit of free agent lefthander Mark Mulder nears a resolution, Texas and Cleveland have recently upped the ante on the Cardinals.  But as promised, the pitcher's agent is circling back to the Cardinals to give them a chance to revise their proposal.

A's GM to join NetSuite board  —  Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who used the power of statistics to build a winning baseball franchise, now is trying his approach with a fast-growing software company.  —  He's not leaving the A's but joining the board of directors …

McCarthy refuses to get into war of words with Sox  —  Brandon McCarthy wasn't searching for any extra motivation heading into the 2007 season.  —  So he's calling the last few weeks a bonus.  —  Traded to the Texas Rangers less than two weeks ago, the former White Sox right-hander has tried …