Report: Jays lock up Overbay  —  Deal would keep first baseman in Toronto through 2010  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays have reportedly lured another player away from the temptation of free agency.  According to The Globe and Mail, Toronto has reached an agreement with first baseman Lyle Overbay on a four-year deal worth $24 million.

Hot Stove: How much can key hitters really improve?  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  There emanates, all through the Pirates' organization, a belief that the young core of the team is bound to improve in 2007.  —  "We're going to get better," general manager Dave Littlefield said.

McGwire proud of career, says he has "no control" over Hall of Fame vote  —  TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — Mark McGwire had little to say about being left out of Cooperstown in his first public comments since the Hall of Fame announcement.  —  The former slugger talked briefly Saturday …

For Pitchers, National League Really Is an Easier Out  —  The quip has become a chorus.  —  In debating whether Barry Zito will earn his $126 million from the San Francisco Giants after posting a combined 3.85 earned run average with the Oakland Athletics the last two seasons, doubters say, "But he is going to the National League."

No. 2 is one valuable asset  —  Sunday Conversation with Chris Antonetti: Tribe's assistant GM talks about 'Moneyball,' working with Shapiro and even an NBA star  —  The next general manager of the Indians, or perhaps some other major-league team - his name is on most short lists of candidates …

Running in place  —  Sox among majority of AL teams that haven't improved in winter  —  What kind of winter has it been for the White Sox?  —  We won't know if it has been good or bad for a few years, probably, but it says something that Ken Williams recently felt it necessary to remind …

What's the big deal?  —  Maybe the mad money strewn about by baseball owners during the off-season won't seem so over-the-top in the wake of David Beckham's five-year, $250 million contract to play soccer in the United States.  Nah, never mind.  Beckham's mega-deal is to one player …

On deck with Donnie  —  UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Yankees fans still see Don Mattingly as a player.  And when the ever-popular icon walked the stage at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center, bat in hand, he still looked as if he could turn around a 95-mph fastball.  —  But fans weren't lined …

Piniella always ready to take up a worthy cause … With less than five weeks until the start of spring training, Lou Piniella is getting more and more excited about getting back in uniform.  He goes to Chicago this week to pick out an apartment, make some appearances and attend his first Cubs Convention …

Clemens still undecided about 2007  —  Pitching legend says he is only considering three teams  —  HOUSTON — Roger Clemens is no closer to a decision on whether he will pitch in 2007, but the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said on Saturday if he does return, he will be behind last season's timetable.

Lobsterman From Nicaragua Could Join Red Sox Cast  —  Devern Hansack.  Remember the name.  Remember it because it is the name of a pitcher who pitched a no-hitter that most everyone probably doesn't know about.  —  A long rain delay preceded the game Hansack pitched on the last day of last season, and rain shortened it.

METS & SOSA NEAR DEAL; PEREZ RE-UPS  —  Righty Jorge Sosa is close to signing a short-term deal with the Mets, a baseball source confirmed last night.  —  Sosa was 3-11 with a 5.42 ERA with Atlanta and St. Louis last season, when he made 13 starts in 45 appearances.  The 29-year-old earned $2.2 million last season.