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.

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.

Wolf, Dodgers agree to $8M deal  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Randy Wolf and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized an $8 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.  —  Wolf gets $7.5 million next year, and the Dodgers have a $9 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout.

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

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.

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.

Sabes says he would decline Hall honor  —  Bret Saberhagen doesn't hold any illusions about his chances of making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame now that he's entered his first year on the ballot.  —  But Saberhagen had some startling words for Hall voters about what he'd do if he got in.

Zaun re-signs, will be Jays' starting catcher  —  TORONTO — Gregg Zaun remained with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing Tuesday to a $7.25 million, two-year contract after the team's apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through.  —  "We came to terms with Gregg Zaun at about midnight," …

Cubs offer $45M to righty Schmidt  —  The Cubs, anxious to steal the winter and maybe the summer, too, are now pursuing star free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt, SI.com has learned.  The Cubs already have spent $239 million on free agents (including the $10 million they used for new manager Lou Piniella) …

Orioles work to add Bradford, Williamson to bullpen … The Baltimore Orioles, aggressively making over their bullpen this offseason, are expected to sign right-hander Scott Williamson — the fourth veteran the team has targeted for its middle relief this offseason.

Follies of youth  —  Year-After Effect could strike many young arms in '07  —  The 2006 season might be remembered as the coming of a new age of young pitchers.  Nine pitchers received rookie of the year votes, including AL winner Justin Verlander, the first rookie starting pitcher to win …