PAVANO WILL ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTTO MINORS  —  "American Idle" Carl Pavano spoke to Brian Cashman on Friday at the Stadium and said he is going to accept a minor-league assignment after the Yankees release him from the final year of a disastrous four-year, $39.95 million contract.

Gagne to sign with Brewers  —  A little more than a week after losing closer Francisco Cordero to a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds, the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday morning were near a contract agreement with veteran reliever Eric Gagne, according to an industry source.

Bradley, Rangers reach agreement  —  Pending physical, one-year contract worth $5 million  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers, having lost out on reliever LaTroy Hawkins, have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, according to Major League sources.

Maddon already shaping '08 club  —  ST. PETERSBURG - They've added a closer, a frontline shortstop and a No. 3 starter, but the Rays have more work to do.  —  In addition to a left-handed hitting outfielder to at least platoon in rightfield, they need a third baseman (for a couple months anyway …

DREW SHARP: Why Inge should stay with Tigers  —  Coming off bench a good option  —  It's ridiculous suggesting that Brandon Inge makes too much money for a part-time player, ensuring his inevitable departure from the Tigers now that Miguel Cabrera has taken Inge's place as starting third baseman.

A's, Padres not out of Bonds running  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  No lie, I had this conversation with Barry Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, toward the end of the winter meetings.  —  Borris: "San Diego still interested in (Geoff) Jenkins?  —  Me: "Yeah, I think so."  —  Borris: "Check out Barry's numbers next to Jenkins'."

Hillman warms up for spring by pondering lineup combinations  —  All of that ice got you down?  Then listen in as new Royals manager Trey Hillman offers up possible lineup combinations for the 2008 season.  —  Sure, spring training is still more than two months away, and the roster …

Union-Busting at the Hall of Fame  —  THE National Baseball Hall of Fame, itself based on the historical error that baseball was invented in Cooperstown, N.Y., has just let one go right through its legs.  On Monday, a committee of 12 baseball executives, newspaper reporters and former executives …

Save This Franchise: No Band-Aid big enough for these Giants  —  Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants.  With the no-longer-satanic Rays transforming their outfielder glut into pitching goodness and the other clodhopper franchises (Rangers, Orioles, Pirates) simply refraining …

Report: Fukudome nixes move to Japan's Giants in favor of majors  —  Japanese free-agent Kosuke Fukudome has decided not to move to the Yomiuri Giants and will sign with a major league team instead, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Sunday.  —  Fukudome had previously indicated the Giants …

Luis Vizcaino is pricing self outta town  —  The Yankees want him.  The Mets probably do, too.  But cost and timing, respectively, haven't worked to keep reliever Luis Vizcaino in New York.  He is expected to sign as a free agent with another team within the week.

Torres traded, but weighing retirement  —  Pirates deal reliever to Milwaukee for two relief prospects  —  Just because Salomon Torres was traded to Milwaukee does not mean he has to go.  —  Torres, dealt by the Pirates yesterday for relief prospects Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts …