Yanks brush aside Sheffield's remarks  —  Officials have little to say about veteran's latest comments  —  STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gary Sheffield's latest comments didn't put much of a scare in the Yankees, as team executives brushed off the outfielder's latest jabs at the organization.

Dodgers outfielder Drew opts out of contract  —  LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract Thursday, making him eligible to become a free agent.  —  "He led the club in RBIs.  You just don't snap your fingers and find another player like that …

Cubs' Miller back with 1-year deal  —  Incentives could bring up to $5.25 million  —  The Wade Miller experiment will continue one more year, though the Cubs hope to get a better return on their investment in 2007.  —  Miller, a 30-year-old right-hander, agreed to a one-year …

McClendon shifted to hitting coach  —  Former Bucs manager was Tigers' bullpen coach in '06  —  DETROIT — Lloyd McClendon is getting the call out of the Tigers' bullpen with a bat in his hands.  —  Manager Jim Leyland on Thursday shifted McClendon, Detroit's bullpen coach this past season …

Zito contacts new Rangers skipper  —  Washington says the lefty is considering Texas this offseason  —  ARLINGTON — New Rangers manager Ron Washington has been hearing from many old friends since being hired on Sunday.  —  Among those who called was free-agent pitcher Barry Zito.

D-backs unveil new colors, new look  —  Four combinations of jerseys feature three fresh shades  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs' new look was on full display Wednesday night as the club unveiled its new uniforms and colors at an event attended by local celebrities as well as team members.

Bidding for pitcher has begun  —  Major League Baseball ordered teams late Monday afternoon not to comment on whether they submitted bids to win exclusive negotiating rights to Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  Before the edict was issued, however, two Rangers officials said the team had entered the bidding process.

Rangers focused on pair of needs  —  Two veteran starting pitchers, center fielder on Texas' wish list  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers are ready and willing to go with a 2007 lineup that includes Brad Wilkerson in left field, Nelson Cruz in right field and Gerald Laird as their No. 1 catcher.

Predictatron Recap  —  We Have a Winner!  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  Just as I did last year, I'm here to follow up the HACKING MASS Wrap with a look at this year's Predictatron results.  This is the second year we've done the Predictatron contest, and it continues to be popular …

The edge of reason  —  Long-term contracts for pitcher seldom pan out  —  For three consecutive winters, beginning in 2002, signing a free-agent starting pitcher to more than a four-year contract was simply crazy talk.  Nobody did it.  Going beyond that conjured up images of Darren Dreifort …

GM: Swap 'perfect fit' with Indians  —  The Padres said they found a long-term answer at third base yesterday when they traded second baseman Josh Barfield to the Indians for right-handed slugger Kevin Kouzmanoff, a hitting star from the Cleveland farm system.

Rays intend to build with veterans  —  Tampa Bay brass not looking to acquire prospects this winter  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Making trades and signing free agents will be a part of the Devil Rays' offseason plan to improve, but don't look for the team to trade for prospects or to sign high-priced starting pitchers.

Q&A with Gerry Hunsicker  —  A chat with the Rays' senior VP of baseball operations … Wallace: So, we've learned that you own a few racing horses.  Who are some of your top thoroughbreds?  When will we see you in the Winner's Circle at the Kentucky Derby?  —  Hunsicker: First of all, I'm in the Minor Leagues of horse racing.

Brian Cashman on ...  Needs for 2007: "We need starting pitching and there's a spot for a left-hander in the bullpen.  There are vacancies at backup catcher, utility infield and right-handed first baseman if one is available."  —  Talks with Mike Mussina: "I've had dialogue with Arn Tellem.