Cubs prepared to pounce  —  After extended wait, chase for Fukudome may finally begin  —  The Cubs' off-season game plan is centered around the acquisition of one player, making Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome a must-have item on general manager Jim Hendry's wish list.

Diamondbacks raise Kuroda offer  —  While considering paying the high cost in talent that a trade would require, the Diamondbacks still are trying to bolster their rotation by paying a higher cost in dollars instead.  —  The Diamondbacks recently improved their contract offer …

President Bush asks Lowell over to dinner … How has life changed for World Series MVP Mike Lowell since signing a new three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Sox?  —  "We got a new dog," deadpanned Lowell, "but that wasn't because we won the championship."  —  Lowell's life has, at least in terms of recognition, changed.

Nats continue activity, add Lo Duca  —  Club agrees to terms with veteran catcher on one-year deal  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals and catcher Paul Lo Duca agreed to a one-year contract, according to a baseball official.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Torres is reporting  —  Just got back from the Eric Gagne press conference at Miller Park.  General manager Doug Melvin was feeling really good about his bullpen because not only does he have Gagne as his closer, Salomon Torres told him today he would report instead of retiring.

Red Sox owners buy the Avalanche  —  Deal lets them put their stamp on a minor league team  —  Less than a year after they invested in stock-car racing, the owners of the Red Sox have struck closer to home, becoming one of the few Major League Baseball operations to pursue a minor league franchise.

Ex-Oriole Segui says he experimented with steroids  —  Retired first baseman bought shipments from Mets clubhouse attendant; he declined to talk to Mitchell for report expected to be released later this week  —  When Major League Baseball's Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drug use is released …

Searching for Mr. Clutch  —  I'm sure many of you read the recent (SI calls it "provocative") piece by Bill James on Sports Illustrated.com titled "Mr. Clutch: Big Papi, Chipper, Pujols come through when it counts".  I was reminded of the piece when I found my copy of the 2008 Hardball Times …

Fans tab Papelbon TYIB's top closer  —  Reliever a hit on, off the field for World Series champions  —  BOSTON — He river-danced with giddiness following each clinching victory — not to mention the World Series parade.  But the Red Sox took far more joy in watching Jonathan Papelbon's moves on the mound.

MATSUI MAY 'WAIVE' BYE  —  The Yankees haven't asked Hideki Matsui to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to San Francisco, but there were strong indications last night he wouldn't stand in the way of a deal if presented to him.  —  When the Giants asked the Blue Jays …

Pirates likely to keep Grabow, Marte  —  GM to stay mostly in-house to address bullpen openings  —  Now that the Pirates have traded Salomon Torres, they are left with only three experienced, reliable relievers: Matt Capps, John Grabow and Damaso Marte.  The latter two are left-handed, and Marte generally is a one-out specialist.

Hobby Pioneer Larry Fritsch Dies  —  The man who may have been the first full-time sports card dealer in America and built one of its best collections, died Saturday.  —  Larry Fritsch, who built a baseball card collection with few rivals and later turned his hobby into a full-time national mail-order busines, has died.

Brady's bunch are too much for Steelers  —  That spot might seem overly generous, but here are five reasons why I believe the Patriots will win by more:  —  1. Pittsburgh's defense is overrated.  —  The stats say the Steelers have much the best defense in the NFL (allowing 230.8 yards per game compared …