Bids on next Japanese pitcher  —  The posting closed for a second Japanese pitcher yesterday, and while the competition for lefty Kei Igawa is not as high-profile as it was for Daisuke Matsuzaka, sources have indicated that both the Yankees and Mets bid for Igawa.

Eaton and Phillies agree to 3-year, $24 million deal  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Starting pitcher Adam Eaton and the Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement on a $24 million, three-year contract, a baseball official told The Associated Press on Monday.

NL teams warm up to idea of a Ramírez deal  —  The Manny Ramírez trade chatter predictably spiked upward yesterday, with the winter meetings just days away.  —  While the Red Sox continued to close in on a deal for free agent outfielder J.D. Drew, and have made an offer …

With New Stadium, Name of Game Is Money  —  With the Washington Nationals on the verge of putting the naming rights to their new stadium up for bid, industry sources say the team likely will receive at least $4 million and possibly as much as $10 million per year on the deal …

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.

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 …

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, 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

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 …

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.

Sox' fascination with Drew obscene  —  If all the rumors are true, the Red Sox this week will sign a veteran player with power, patience, speed, a rocket arm and an OBP that lets off a beam of light when it hits your computer screen.  —  Any day now, your Boston Red Sox will have a guy …