LO DUCA'S AGENT RETORTS THOMSON  —  Paul Lo Duca's agent, Dave Stewart, hadn't seen the critical comments Blue Jays righty John Thomson made about his client Wednesday afternoon.  He hadn't spoken to the Mets catcher as of yesterday afternoon, so he doubted Lo Duca had seen them, either.

Bonds: Sweeney not involved in alleged failed amphetamine test  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds said he did not get amphetamines from teammate Mark Sweeney, but did not deny a report Thursday saying he tested positive for the drugs last season.  —  According to a story in the New York Daily News …

Familiar Face Is Back, Bringing Hope Another Follows  —  The marquee atop Yankee Stadium yesterday told motorists there were 33 days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training.  Reversing the calendar would show it has been 34 days since the Yankees agreed to contract terms with Andy Pettitte.

Notes: Weeks raring to get back in swing of things  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  The Milwaukee Brewers never will know how things might have gone in 2006 without losing three-fourths of their starting infield to injury.  —  They'd like to find out this year.

Baseball needs Frank Robinson  —  Frank Robinson doesn't want to manage again but says playing golf five days a week isn't his bag, either.  He's a baseball lifer.  —  Robinson, a Hall of Famer, is one of the game's icons, a natural resource who would leave a giant void if he ever left permanently.

'The Goose' might finally get to Hall in 2008  —  So the 2007 round of Hall of Fame balloting is over and done with.  —  The voters rightly enshrined Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., rightly passed over Mark McGwire, and wrongly passed over Bert Blyleven, Goose Gossage, Andre Dawson, Alan Trammell and Jim Rice.

Pirates looking beyond LaRoche  —  Glacial trade talks force expansion of search for power bat  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates finally are turning seriously toward options other than Atlanta's Adam LaRoche for their coveted left-handed power bat, two sources said yesterday.

Royals taking nominations for fans to sit in O'Neil's seat  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are giving 81 people a chance to watch a game from Buck O'Neil's seat.  —  The team announced the "Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program" on Thursday.  It will honor the Negro Leagues star …

Rockies extend offer to Lawrence  —  Right-handed pitcher to mull four bids over the weekend  —  DENVER — Right-handed pitcher Brian Lawrence received a contract offer from the Rockies on Thursday, and will review proposals from four teams over the weekend and into next week, his agent said.

FLB: Ballpark Factor … A player's raw talent has a lot to do with his chances for fantasy success, but don't forget to account for his home ballpark factor.  Bandbox parks can make ordinary hitters into All-Stars, while spacious stadiums often help keep so-so pitchers' ERAs down.

Sox, Cubs feel the Zito effect  —  Carlos Zambrano and Mark Buehrle figure to benefit from lefty's $126 million contract  —  Question: If Barry Zito is worth $126 million for seven years on the open market, then what is the value of Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano if they get to free agency in the fall?

Cards and lefty Mark Mulder agree to new deal  —  Redbirds also ink RHP Ryan Franklin, outfielder Rick Ankiel and infielder Jolbert Cabrera  —  ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals concluded a busy day of signings this afternoon, announcing that they have agreed to terms with lefty starter Mark Mulder …

Paps opens door: But sees closer in mix  —  Jonathan Papelbon said he will be more than happy to return to his role as Red Sox [team stats] closer if the need arises - but doubts such a move would be necessary in 2007.  —  Papelbon will head to spring training next month as a starter after a stellar …