Tom Verducci: 7 young pitchers who could be injury risks  —  So the Yankees have let Johan Santana pass to the Mets and smartly bet the future on Phil Hughes, 21, Joba Chamberlain, 21, and Ian Kennedy, 23.  Throw in Chien Ming Wang, 27, and the Yankees have the bulk of their starts covered for years.

Pirates, Sanchez agree to unusual three-year deal  —  Signing will come today, pending physical, at PNC Park  —  The Pirates and Freddy Sanchez have agreed to terms on a three-year contract — two guaranteed years plus an unusual option, with a total worth in the range of $19 million — and expect to make that official today.

State official: Jeter settles tax dispute  —  ALBANY, N.Y. — Derek Jeter settled his case with tax officials, who had said the Yankees captain should have paid three years of taxes as a New York State resident.  —  A state official confirmed the settlement, which was first reported in Tuesday's New York Daily News.

Clemens Answers Panel's Questions  —  WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens, one of baseball's most dominant pitchers, emerged from an almost five-hour deposition before Congress on Tuesday afternoon repeating his denials of ever using steroids or human-growth hormone and thanking Congressional investigators for the chance to say so under oath.

Waiting for the good word  —  Ravens defensive tackle Dwan Edwards will appear at the Sports Legends Museum on Friday as part of the Babe's Birthday Bash celebration.  The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and commemorates the 113th anniversary of Ruth's birth.

Rios signs one-year contract with Jays  —  Off best year, outfielder avoids arbitration with $4.8 million deal  —  TORONTO — A long-term contract will have to wait for now.  On Tuesday, the Blue Jays were content with settling on a one-year pact with Alex Rios, who agreed to a $4.835 million salary for the 2008 season.

Nationals' treasure  —  Ballpark, to debut with Nats-O's exhibition, has intimate atmosphere not found at RFK  —  WASHINGTON - The media got a peek yesterday at Washington's nearly completed baseball stadium.  The steel, glass and concrete home of the Washington Nationals is more bland …

Sox come to terms with Kielty  —  In a move that gives them insurance if (when?) they trade Coco Crisp, the Sox have come to terms on a one-year deal with outfielder Bobby Kielty.  It's a nonguaranteed contract that will pay Kielty $800,000 if he makes the big-league roster, with an additional $300,000 in incentives.

Brewers Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Just Missing: Lorenzo Cain, of; Hernan Iribarren, 2b; Mark Rogers, rhp  —  1. Matt LaPorta, OF  —  Drafted: 1st round, 2007, University of Florida  —  2007 Stats: .259/.289/.519 at Short-season (7 G); .318/.392/.750 at Low-A (23 G)

Roster moves: Japanese lefty Maekawa signed to minor league deal  —  You may or may not remember that, at the winter meetings, the Nationals had some interest in a Japanese lefty named Katsuhiko Maekawa, who was pitching in the Dominican Republic.  Well they've signed him to a minor league deal …

Baltimore has interest in Fogg  —  Typically a pitcher's future is connected to his success against hitters.  Josh Fogg, however, has seen his winter tied to fellow starters.  With the Erik Bedard trade to Seattle expected to be finalized, the Orioles have expressed interest in the right-hander …

Departures don't dissuade Nathan from desire to stay  —  The closer says he remains open to signing an extension and says he doesn't feel an obligation to push salary limits.  —  With the Johan Santana saga behind them, the Twins are mostly finished with their offseason business, though two questions remain:

Lester an early arrival at Sox camp  —  Mind free of health concerns, left-hander begins throwing  —  BOSTON — While it wasn't quite enough to erase the sting the entire region of New England was feeling over the Patriots' loss in Super Bowl XLII, the fact that Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester …

Shapiro addresses C.C., other Tribe topics  —  Let's take this from the top.  —  No. 1: The Indians, short of an early collapse this season, won't trade C.C. Sabathia.  —  No. 2: Regardless of Johan Santana's contract with the Mets last week, General Manager Mark Shapiro believes …