Pirates close to hiring manager  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  Over the next few days, the Pirates will fill three of their four major job vacancies — including the most important vacancy.  —  "We have identified the individual who we believe will be the next manager," team president Frank Coonelly said Friday.

Wood might return to Cubs' pen in '08  —  Pitcher Kerry Wood could return to the Cubs' bullpen in 2008 — although it might take getting a deal done in the next nine days.  —  Cliff Floyd is resigned to the likelihood that his first season with his hometown team will be his last.

Astros will pursue free agent Castillo  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Mets, competing in a thin market for free-agent second basemen, will face a stiff challenge in their quest to re-sign Luis Castillo.  —  The Astros are preparing to make a strong run at Castillo, according to major-league sources …

Minaya: Wright, not A-Rod, the right man at third  —  The Mets remain open to the idea of pursuing Alex Rodriguez, but they have reiterated to David Wright that they are very happy with him as their starting third baseman.  —  Realistically, therefore, the Mets have no place to play A-Rod …

Mets bring back Marlon Anderson in a pinch  —  The Mets won't let Marlon Anderson get away this time.  —  Anderson, who left to sign with the Nationals two winters ago when the Mets wouldn't offer a two-year contract, is expected to return to Flushing next season, the Daily News has learned.

Williams itching to start dealing  —  Sox GM says he has 'a definite plan'  —  With so many needs, Ken Williams won't stay under the radar this off-season.  —  In fact, the White Sox's general manager believes he's in position to pull off a trade, perhaps as soon as this week …

Redbirds contact Schilling  —  The Cardinals have targeted postseason monster Curt Schilling as a potential short-term solution for their tattered starting rotation, and the righthander has reciprocated their interest.  —  Two days after having the interim removed from his title …

Fogg files for free agency  —  'Dragon Slayer' is ninth player on team to do so  —  Right-handed pitcher Josh Fogg, who resurrected his career over the past two seasons with the Rockies, could parlay his recent success into a multiyear guarantee.  —  Fogg officially filed for free agency Friday …

Baseball's Losing Formula  —  THE end of the World Series marks the start of baseball's business season, when players and managers move from team to team and receipts are tallied to determine how much the richer teams will pay toward, and the poorer teams will receive from, revenue sharing.

Marlins name Mark Wiley pitching coach  —  MIAMI — The Florida Marlins today named Mark Wiley their pitching coach, completing the coaching staff for the 2008 season.  The announcement was made by Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest.  —  "Mark [Wiley] is an accomplished …

Farrell, Wakefield will be staying put  —  Sox also exercise option on Tavarez  —  The Red Sox yesterday elected to pick up the contract options for 2008 on pitchers Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez, while pitching coach John Farrell released a statement through the club saying he planned …

Shamed doctor gets two years in steroid case  —  'Grandmotherly' Santi wrote thousands of prescriptions  —  PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Short and stout, with gray ringlets of hair framing a round, bespectacled face, Ana Maria Santi looks the part of a doting grandmother.