Drug violation nets Mets pitcher Mota 50-game ban  —  NEW YORK — Relief pitcher Guillermo Mota was suspended 50 games on Wednesday for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.  —  The 33-year-old Mota, who finished the season with the Mets and filed for free agency Tuesday, was 4-3 with a 4.53 ERA this season.

'A step in that direction'  —  Yankees bench coach Mattingly could succeed Torre  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Don Mattingly is moving up to New York Yankees' bench coach next season, a promotion that makes him the early favorite to one day succeed Joe Torre as manager.

A's add two more to managerial search  —  Black, Acta scheduled for official interviews for open job  —  OAKLAND — A day after interviewing the second man on their list of managerial candidates, the A's added two more names to that list.  —  Having spoken with their internal candidates …

Zito, Maddux highlight Tuesday's free-agent filings  —  NEW YORK — Oakland's Barry Zito, who could be the most sought-after pitcher in this year's free-agent market, filed for free agency Tuesday.  —  Zito, a 28-year-old left-hander with a coveted, looping curveball, was 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts this season.

Internet Baseball Awards  —  The Results Are In  —  It's time to announce the winners of the 15th annual Internet Baseball Awards.  More than 1,400 cyberspace baseball fans participated in this effort to honor those players and managers whose performance in 2006 were most deserving.

Burnitz may retire after Pirates decline $6M option  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates declined their $6 million option Wednesday on spare outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and will pay him a $700,000 buyout that allows him to become a free agent — though he might retire.

Astros dealing with matters of the heart … Business is business, and Astros owner Drayton McLane has better ways to spend his grocery distribution money than on a 38-year-old first baseman — especially one with an arthritic right shoulder that makes the baseball feel like a shot put every time he throws it.

Are expanded playoffs good for MLB?  —  The Detroit Tigers didn't win the 2006 World Series, but they did make it there.  And their presence in the Fall Classic keeps alive a streak that's distinctly modern: at least one wild card team has made it to five consecutive World Series.

BERNIE MAY GO BYE-BYE  —  A year ago it was a lot easier to predict Bernie Williams was going to remain a Yankee.  Now, the beloved Yankee icon can't be sure he will return for a 16th year with the only organization he has ever taken a check from.  —  Ironically, the 38-year-old switch-hitting outfielder …

Getting Matthews tops Giants' to-do list  —  The Giants are making free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. a top priority this winter, believing he can energize the top of the lineup and bring a dynamic presence to an outfield defense that was among the worst in the major leagues this year.

Jeter's no MVP  —  Captain's lack of leadership sank Yankees' hopes  —  Now that baseball's postseason is over, the individual awards will soon be handed out, including the American League MVP.  Boston's David Ortiz and a trio of Twins, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Johan Santana …

Matsuzaka bidding to begin soon  —  Yankees, Mets covet Japanese pitcher, but they must pay for the rights to negotiate with him  —  TOKYO — Let the bidding begin on Daisuke Matsuzaka.  Or at least get those checkbooks ready.  That was the somewhat mixed message put forth Wednesday …

Rockies decline to exercise options for pitching trio  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced on Wednesday that they have declined to exercise the 2007 season options of right-handed pitchers Jose Mesa, Mike DeJean and left-handed pitcher Ray King.  —  Mesa, 40, went 1-5 with a 3.86 ERA …

D-backs name Sutton as TV announcer  —  Son of Hall of Famer Don was play-by-play man in Milwaukee  —  PHOENIX — For first time in franchise history, the D-backs will have a new television play-by-play man on Opening Day, and his name is Daron Sutton.  —  The club introduced Sutton on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field.

Beasley, Nationals part ways  —  Caroline native Tony Beasley won't return with Washington Nationals  —  The Nationals and third base coach Tony Beasley officially parted ways yesterday, but the Bowling Green native said he is preparing to accept a job as the minor league infield coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates.