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 …

Front office chats in Winter Warm-Up  —  Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin and Ned Yost participate … Al_Bethke: Dennis Sarfate is out of options.  Do you see him on the Opening Day roster?  —  Doug Melvin: He has one option left.  It has been reported that he has no options …

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.

'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.

Martinez visits a Mets prospect — son Pedro E. Martinez  —  BOCA DE NIGUA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Pedro Martinez got an extra benefit from making a charity visit with teammates — he checked up on his 19-year-old son at the New York Mets' training academy.

the good news: cards sign ryan franklin  —  Update [2007-1-11 15:52:57 by lboros]: Erik and Mrs. Erik had a healthy baby boy —  Landon James. add'l info at this diary. congrats and blessings to the new parents.  [end update]  —  i checked in with will carroll, who wrote the book …

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 …

Dodgers to institute all-you-can-eat section  —  At first glance, the cheap seats at Dodger Stadium don't seem all that cheap anymore, as a ticket in the right-field pavilion will cost you $40 for the 2007 season.  —  But if you're a big fan of ballpark concessions, that might be a decent deal.

Adios!  Becks Heads For LA  —  David Beckham says he is leaving Real Madrid to sign for LA Galaxy.  —  The former England captain will leave the Spanish club at the end of the season and sign a five-year deal for the US side, believed to be worth £128m.

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 …

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.

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?