Option play: White Sox keep Buehrle, Dye, Iguchi … CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and Tadahito Iguchi all were instrumental in helping the Chicago White Sox win the World Series in 2005.  Nearly 12 months later, the White Sox decided to retain their services.

Nats' Soriano Files For Free Agency  —  Alfonso Soriano took what could be the first step in leaving the Washington Nationals yesterday, officially declaring free agency, opening the bidding among all 30 major league teams on perhaps the premier offensive player on the market.

Mailbag: Any trades on the horizon?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions … Due to Hank Blalock's decline in numbers over the past couple of seasons, are the Rangers planning on trying to move him, maybe for a couple of young pitchers?  — Jeremy H., Dallas

Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez lead latest free-agent filers … Carlos Lee is ready to cash in on his career season.  —  Lee was among 39 players to file for free agency Monday, a list that also includes Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez and St. Louis Cardinals postseason hero Scott Spiezio.

Soriano targeted; Pat's pact edible?  —  LIKE EVERYONE else in the Phillies family, president David Montgomery gnashes his teeth when he thinks of the St. Louis Cardinals hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy.  —  Maybe signing Alfonso Soriano, who filed for free agency yesterday …

Howard will be a huge draw in Tokyo  —  Phillies first baseman hopes to stage power display  —  PHOENIX — Ryan Howard is already more popular than the cheesesteaks and the hoagies in Philly.  And on a national level, he has ascended to must-watch status as rapidly as possible …

S.F., Texas show interest in Gonzo  —  Luis Gonzalez took over left field from Brent Brede after being acquired by the Diamondbacks in 1999.  Is Barry Bonds next?  —  Gonzalez was a free agent for only hours Saturday before San Francisco and Texas came calling, major league sources confirmed Sunday …

Mailbag: What's in store for rotation?  —  Beat reporter Thomas Harding answers fans' questions … With the Rockies being fairly competitive, how much time do you think they have left with the current pitching to win a playoff spot in the next few years before the pitchers are worn out and we start serious rebuilding again?

Hall Watch 2006- Todd Helton  —  Todd Helton had an off-year in 2006, hitting half the homers that hehit (please forgive the alliteration) 2 or 3 years ago.  Even at that,he is still a good hitter and a fine fielder.  He is now 32, and at acareer crossroads.

Ten Notable Arizona Fall League Performances  —  Today, I will break down five oustanding performances and five disappointing performances by top prospects in the Arizona Fall League.  It's difficult to generate any meaningful conclusions about a player's development only three weeks after opening day …

How the Cardinals Shocked the World* and Won the World Series  —  Mike and Maria Schneider are an L.A. couple who run a blog called Franklin Avenue, which is more or less a cultural guide for local groups.  Over the past year Mike and Maria have been asking their infant son Evan to pick …

500,000 honor the champs  —  It sounded like one long stadium curtain call.  It looked like a horizonless sea of Cardinal red, as if every available Redbird shirt and hat had been pressed into service.  —  No more games to be played.  But the 2006 season for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals …