Drew deal may lead Manny out the door  —  The Red Sox appear to be the leading candidate to sign free agent outfielder J.D. Drew and, according to one baseball executive, the deal could be a big one.  —  A five-year deal worth an average annual salary of $15 million is one figure being heard …

Lucchino in Japan to work on Seibu  —  The Red Sox have sent team president Larry Lucchino to Japan to help try and close a momentous deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  Lucchino has, according to a source, already met with attorneys representing the Seibu Lions, the Japanese Central League team …

Phillies ante up to land Rangers' Eaton  —  Perhaps the Rangers did underachieve last season.  At least, that seems to be the case based on the monstrous offers their free agents are getting.  —  The latest news was delivered Monday when pitcher Adam Eaton agreed to a three-year contract with the Phillies for $24 million.

Angels discussing trade with White Sox  —  In a deal that would fill the Angels' need for a power hitter but that would come with a steep price, the Angels and Chicago White Sox have discussed a trade that would send infielder-outfielder Chone Figgins and pitcher Ervin Santana to Chicago …

McGwire good for only 1 out of 4 for Hall of Fame vote  —  NEW YORK — For one glorious summer, Mark McGwire was bigger than baseball itself.  America stopped to watch each time he came to the plate, and cheered every time he sent a ball into orbit.  —  He could do no wrong, it seemed.

Mailbag: Bucs fans play GM for a day  —  Pirates faithful share some armchair ideas for the offseason … Why would the Bucs not protect Wardell Starling?  Last year, Starling, who is only 23, made 28 starts between Class A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona and was 10-9 with a 2.98 ERA.

Ohka interested in returning  —  Right-hander spent three-plus seasons with Expos/Nats  —  WASHINGTON — Right-hander Tomo Ohka is interested in returning to the Nationals, according to his agent, Jim Masteralexis.  —  The news comes more than a year after the team traded Ohka to the Brewers …

Baez signs up for relief work with Orioles … One frustrating year in the National League was enough for right-hander Danys Baez.  —  The free agent reliever signed a $19 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday after passing a physical.  —  Baez broke into the majors with Cleveland in 2001.

Dodgers get a cut-rate deal on pitcher Wolf  —  Left-hander, who had elbow surgery in '05, agrees for less than others offered so he can play in hometown.  —  Southland product Randy Wolf, a left-handed starting pitcher who had major elbow surgery 17 months ago, has agreed to sign …

Dodgers, Rangers could make deals for Manny  —  The trade market for left fielder Manny Ramirez consists of four teams, according to major-league sources, and the Dodgers and Rangers appear to be more suitable partners for the Red Sox than the Giants and Padres.  —  FOX Bite  —  Videos

YANKS KEEP FAITH IN UNIT, PAVANO  —  On the day the Yankees officially welcomed soon-to-be 38-year-old Mike Mussina back into their Kate Moss-thin rotation with a two-year, $23 million deal, Brian Cashman said he believes Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano can be counted on to fill in behind Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina.

Blue Jays still negotiating with Zaun  —  TORONTO (AP) -The Toronto Blue Jays have resumed negotiations with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun after an apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through.  —  General manager J.P. Ricciardi said late Monday the team was negotiating with Zaun, and the deal with Barajas was not going ahead.