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 likely to build from within in '07  —  Club not expected to pursue big-name free agents this winter  —  WASHINGTON — For the second consecutive year, the Nationals finished fifth in the National League East.  This time, pitching and a lack of defense and fundamentals were the reasons the team lost 91 games in 2006.

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 …

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.

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 …

Tigers name Lloyd McClendon hitting coach  —  DETROIT - Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon was named hitting coach of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.  —  McClendon, who last year served as Detroit's bullpen coach, replaces Don Slaught, another former Pirate who six days ago announced …

Crede decides against back surgery  —  Sox medical staff given top honor by Baseball Prospectus  —  CHICAGO — When questioned on the final day of the 2006 regular season, Joe Crede seemed to be leaning toward offseason rehab over microsurgery to strengthen two herniated discs in his back.

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.

New threads boast aggressive look  —  Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Conor Jackson looked hot in his new uniform.  —  Truthfully, he is pretty model-esque, but the new Sedona Red, Sonoran Sand and black uniform definitely helped.  —  Wednesday night, Jackson, Orlando Hudson …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.