Rangers chat: What about the new guy?  —  Rangers beat writer Evan Grant answered questions about the team on Tuesday, Nov. 7.  —  Evan Grant: Welcome to the Ron Washington era.  If his opening press conference is any indication, the Washington Era will be full of candid, honest, often funny, moments.

Howard's clutch homer sparks MLB  —  OSAKA, Japan — Perhaps the loaded lineup of Major League Baseball had done so much damage in the first three games of this Japan All-Star Series that Nippon Professional Baseball finally reached the point of pure fear.  —  For, in Game 4, NPB's pitching staff nibbled all night, issuing 10 walks.

Nats sign 21 Minor League free agents  —  Two pitchers, infielder, outfielder added to 40-man roster  —  WASHINGTON — In need of depth in both their 40-man roster and Minor League system, the Nationals agreed to terms with 21 Minor League free agents.  —  Right-handers Tim Redding and Joel Hanrahan …

Asians Give Major Leagues More Options to Consider  —  The season may be over, but this is international week in Major League Baseball.  —  A major league all-star team is finishing a five-game series in Japan against Japanese all-stars; teams are submitting huge bids for a Japanese pitcher …

Yankees Pick Up the Option on Sheffield  —  Gary Sheffield reported to spring training in February eager for the Yankees to exercise his $13 million option for 2007.  General Manager Brian Cashman told Sheffield he expected to do so, and yesterday, he did.  —  The circumstances are different now …

Padres leave Roberts in limbo  —  The Padres yesterday told the agent for Dave Roberts what has been apparent for several months: The club's No. 1 priority of the offseason is to acquire a power hitter, even if it means losing Roberts to free agency as a result.

No deal!  Delgado digs in for Met stay  —  It's difficult for Mets fans to imagine Carlos Delgado demanding a trade after the All-Star caliber debut season he had in Flushing, including his first trip to the playoffs.  Delgado hit .351 with four homers and 11 RBI in 10 postseason games …

Winter of discontent for Sox?  —  Exodus of prospects from Venezuela no problem, Guillen says  —  Venezuela has produced White Sox standout shortstops Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio and Ozzie Guillen, as well as top Venezuelan victory leader Freddy Garcia.

Rockies add Alan Cockrell and Glenallen Hill to Major League coaching staff  —  Both hires come from within Rockies organization  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have announced two additions to the major league coaching staff.  Alan Cockrell, a part of the organization for the last nine years, was named the club's hitting coach.

Yanks eye Astro pair  —  Roger, Andy free to pick team & fate  —  Two old New York friends filed for free agency yesterday and though neither Roger Clemens nor Andy Pettitte has decided whether to play next season, the Yankees intend to inquire about both, according to a team source.

Centers Thomas, Haywood Reportedly in Recent Fight  —  Washington Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood were involved in a physical altercation last Thursday in which the two traded punches at Verizon Center, according to two team sources.  —  One source, who requested anonymity …

Battle scars: Reflection and recovery  —  Drugs nearly drove former Major League star Lonnie Smith to murder.  The events and confusion of those days still stick with Smith, all these years after he cleaned himself up.  —  kbabb@thestate.com  —  FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — He is aging …

Sox close to re-signing Cora  —  Infielder may get two-year contract  —  With the Red Sox' middle-infield situation up in the air for 2007, team sources indicate that they are closing in on a two-year deal with Alex Cora, which should protect the Sox in case of an injury or if their offseason pursuits fall short.

Offseason preview: Shop swap  —  The owners had things under control there for a few years, didn't they?  —  Times were tight, they said.  Offers from different teams for the same players were strangely similar.  —  Only George Steinbrenner and a few others were willing to step out of line to pay for premium talent.