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 …

Nats Stay In Touch With Acta About Job  —  New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta returned from Japan yesterday, exhausted from a long flight and lack of sleep, but still with the hope provided by the news that he is still in the running to become the next manager of the Washington Nationals.

Cardinals close to bringing back Edmonds  —  The World Series champion Cardinals, facing a deadline to decide on Jim Edmonds' future, are close to signing the center fielder to a two-year contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Edmonds' average salary in the deal is expected to be comparable …

TOM DECLINES OPTION  —  BUT GLAVINE MAY STILL REMAIN A MET  —  Tom Glavine took care of some paperwork yesterday, filing provisionally for free agency.  —  Glavine still has not made up his mind whether he will return to the Mets in 2007 or opt to sign with the Braves, so he can be closer to home, a la Roger Clemens and the Astros.

Bid-ness as usual  —  Igawa cleared by Hanshin to pursue career in majors  —  TOKYO (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa of the Hanshin Tigers was given permission by his club to pursue a career in the major leagues.  —  Igawa, who would have had to play in Japan for three more seasons …

Giambi likely DH  —  The Yankees will build toward the 2007 season with the idea that Jason Giambi is their designated hitter, general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday.  That means the team will be in the market for a first baseman, preferably one who hits righthanded.

Sox may pitch their attention at Drew  —  Roger Clemens, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and J.D. Drew — all three are at least currently linked to the Red Sox, though none could end up in Boston.  —  One major league source indicated last night that the prevailing talk in the international market …

Just say SoriaNO  —  I HAVE COME to praise Alfonso Soriano, not to bury him.  He is a special player with special skills.  He is also a flawed player with special flaws.  —  In his first season in leftfield - he had to be dragged there kicking and screaming - Soriano was ranked No. 3 among …

No big hike in payroll likely for 2007  —  Alfonso Soriano won't get the free-agent money he's looking for from the Florida Marlins.  You can bank on the Marlins not having the high bid in the Daisuke Matsuzaka posting process either.  —  In spite of a 2006 team that performed better than most anticipated …

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 …