Yankees have tentative deal to send Unit to D-Backs  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a trade that would send Randy Johnson to Arizona, a move that allows the Big Unit's agents to get him a contract extension.

Starting Pitchers Might Be Out of Club's Range  —  At last month's winter meetings, as mind-blowing deals were being brokered in all corners of the baseball world, officials from the Washington Nationals — determined to stick to a plan of not spending on free agents until they believe the club …

Pineiro could assume closer role  —  Sox ink righty, may move veteran starter to ninth-inning role  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox still haven't definitively stated who their closer will be in 2007, but an apparent front-runner has emerged.  This, after Thursday's announcement that Boston …

Mets Wait for Price of Starters to Drop  —  Until the cost of a front-line starter drops to a more palatable price, the Mets will continue to debate whether to add a cost-effective veteran to smooth the transition for their younger pitchers.  If the price is right, the Mets are interested …

OF Garcia gets offer; team going after Lopez  —  The Rockies, attempting to improve their bench, offered a minor-league contract to outfielder Karim Garcia on Thursday while intensifying their pursuit of catcher Javy Lopez.  —  Garcia would compete for a bench role as the team attempts …

Peavy arrested at Mobile Airport  —  MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct Thursday at Mobile Regional Airport.  —  The 25-year-old Mobile native was taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail shortly before 7 a.m. and was released …

Juiced balls?  Say it ain't so  —  Was Major League Baseball busting at the seams and rotten to the core in 1998?  —  Were 600 Costa Rican factory workers conspiring to make baseballs fly farther?  —  Was the ball juiced, or were the players juiced?  Or both?

Who's on deck?  —  Unless Jeff Weaver is your idea of a big-time free agent, we're sliding into the New Year plum out of them.  Unless, that is, you want to wait around for Roger Clemens to make up his mind about playing.  Again.  —  But it's never too early for next winter.

Yanks envision a hoss in Ross  —  One scout at the Princeton-Old Dominion game clocked the ball that struck Ross Ohlendorf above the right elbow as traveling 106 mph coming off the bat.  Ohlendorf, pitching a few years ago in a marquee game against ODU star Justin Verlander that attracted …

O's don't rock house, but make progress  —  I believe it was the ancient philosopher, Mick Jagger, who eloquently preached the value of pragmatism in all things, a lesson that seems quite relevant as the Orioles complete their latest offseason rebuilding effort.

Hillenbrand happy to land far away from Toronto  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shea Hillenbrand is pleased he wound up close to his childhood home and far away from Toronto.  —  Speaking with reporters for the first time since agreeing to terms with the Los Angeles Angels last week …