KENNEDY INTRIGUED BY METS  —  Playing for the Mets appeals to Adam Kennedy.  —  Kennedy, one of the elite options among free-agent second basemen this winter, has spent the last seven seasons with the Angels.  He filed for free agency on Sunday, however, and yesterday his agent, Paul Cohen …

How high will bids go for Japanese superstar?  —  Lou Melendez will know before anyone else who has won the bidding rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka, the most celebrated Japanese pitcher to hit the major leagues since Hideo Nomo more than 10 years ago.  —  Melendez is Major League Baseball's vice president …

Steinbrenner OK after falling ill at granddaughter's play  —  New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fell ill while attending his granddaughter's performance of Cabaret on Sunday at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., but is fine Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., according to his spokesman.

Work to do  —  World champion Cardinals due for makeover in '07  —  Usually, when your team comes out of nowhere to win the World Series, your biggest fear is that the general manager gets complacent and refuses to tinker with his roster.  —  The Twins won the World Series in 1987.

O's Find Soriano Is Seeking A Rich Free Agent Payday  —  The Baltimore Orioles, according to a team source, began preliminary discussions with Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano , and were floored by the free agent's initial contract outline.  —  According to the source …

Brantley named new Reds broadcaster  —  Former big-league pitcher, ESPN analyst returns to Cincy  —  CINCINNATI — As a kid growing up in Birmingham, Ala., Jeff Brantley was a huge fan of the Reds and the "Big Red Machine."  And in the days long before satellite and cable sports on television …

With outlook healthy, Sox pick up Wakefield option  —  The Red Sox yesterday announced they have exercised the $4 million option they hold on Tim Wakefield's contract for 2007, after a season in which the knuckleballer turned 40, spent more time (seven weeks) on the disabled list …

Major League Baseball Productions to premiere MLB 2006: In The Clutch presented by Pepsi  —  One-hour ESPN special to unveil the 2006 All-Clutch Team  —  Major League Baseball Productions, the Emmy® award-winning in-house television and video production division of Major League Baseball …

Baird tabbed as Epstein's assistant  —  New England native considered a top talent evaluator  —  BOSTON — Three months of work from one of his special-assignment scouts was enough to impress Theo Epstein.  On Tuesday, Boston's general manager tabbed Allard Baird as his new assistant.

SUPPAN UP  —  YANKS MAY TURN TO CARDS RIGHTY FOR ROTATION BOOST  —  The Yankees continue to hear from teams asking about Gary Sheffield, but it doesn't appear they expect to get a starting pitcher in exchange for the slugger if they pick up his option with the intent of trading him.

Rockies eye speedy Roberts  —  The Padres' left fielder could fill Colorado's need for a leadoff hitter  —  In an effort to increase team speed, the Rockies began their serious run at San Diego Padres free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts on Monday.  —  Roberts fits their need for a center fielder …

Bagwell's Astros career comes to end  —  Club declines option on first baseman's contract for 2007  —  HOUSTON — As expected, the Houston Astros opted to decline the option on first baseman Jeff Bagwell for the 2007 season on Tuesday.  The club will instead pay the $7 million buyout of the '07 option.

Cubs' Ramirez plays the market  —  3rd baseman exercises opt-out, files for free agency  —  Aramis Ramirez exercised his opt-out clause on Monday and filed for free agency, leaving $33.5 million on the table.  —  Whether it's simply a procedural move or an indication he intends to flee …

Announcer Sues ESPN Over "Hug" Firing  —  Ex-star Harold Reynolds claims contract breach, seeks millions  —  Claiming that he was improperly fired for apparently giving an "innocuous hug" to a female intern, former ESPN announcer Harold Reynolds has sued the sports network for breaching his million-dollar contract.