Madoff Had Wide Role in Mets' Finances  —  When Fred Wilpon's son Jeff was married at Fresh Meadow Country Club on Long Island, Bernard L. Madoff and his wife were there.  When Mr. Madoff's son Mark was married at the same country club, Mr. Wilpon, the principal owner of the Mets, was a guest as well.

Dodgers avoid arbitration with reliever Kuo  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers and reliever Hong-Chih Kuo reached agreement Wednesday on a one-year, $2.725 million contract, with another $675,000 possible through bonuses.  —  Kuo is coming off a record-breaking All-Star season.

Tampa Bay Rays close to deal with Felipe Lopez  —  ST. PETERSBURG — As the Rays decide whom to take off their 40-man roster to make room for Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, they are set to add veteran middle infielder Felipe Lopez on a minor-league deal, possibly today.

Can Matt Cain Sustain His Low HR/FB Rate?  —  Any time a general theory that applies to most people is advanced, people naturally begin to look for the outliers, and they often use the examples at the ends of the spectrum to cast validity on the theory.  Or, they just dismiss the theory …

Redskins owner Dan Snyder seeks dismissal of City Paper writer  —  There's no question Redskins owner Dan Snyder had a few problems with a cover story about him in Washington's City Paper in November.  —  At the moment, in fact, Snyder is fighting mad.  —  Snyder has objected to the article …

Yankees Acquire Justin Maxwell  —  The Yankees announced that they have acquired Justin Maxwell from the Nationals for minor league right-hander Adam Olbrychowski.  When Washington had to clear roster space last week, they designated Maxwell for assignment.

Sweet Lou joining the champs  —  John Shea on a valuable pickup by the Giants . . .  The baseball world loves Lou Piniella.  Players, coaches, fans, scribes.  As a manager of five teams, including the 1990 Reds, who swept the A's in the World Series, Piniella has had a passion for the game at every level.

Minor League Transactions: Jan. 25-31  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: RHP Micah Owings, C Mark Reed, OF Jon Mark Owings (Sioux Falls (American Association))  —  Removed from 40-man roster: RHP Daniel Stange, RHP Brian Sweeney  —  The Diamondbacks will have many first-base types competing …

In period of parity, not even a high payroll guarantees a playoff berth … The conventional wisdom is that the Phillies and Red Sox have turned themselves into prohibitive favorites with their great winters.  But based on recent history, the conventional wisdom is worth even less more than an obstructed-view bleacher seat.

Tigers counting on Schlereth against lefties  —  DETROIT — The Tigers have been consistent in their stance that Phil Coke will be in their rotation.  They've also been consistent in their stance that they don't need to make a big signing to replace him as the primary left-hander in their bullpen.