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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Embattled Ponson agrees to minor league deal with Twins  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Sidney Ponson will try again this spring to revive his once-promising career, and the Minnesota Twins will feel a little bit better about their rotation if he's successful.

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 …

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 …

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 …