Dave Roberts agrees to 3-year pact with Giants  —  Padres left fielder Dave Roberts has agreed to terms with the Giants on a three-year contract for $18 million, sources said Friday.  —  Roberts, who made $2.25 million this year, likely will play center field for the Giants …

Two Homes, One Team: Glavine Picks Mets  —  Tom Glavine is used to operating in baseball's finite framework.  As a pitcher, he must make hundreds of decisions every time he takes the mound, many in a split second.  —  Matters of the heart require a little more reflection.

It's time for Rangers to take a swing  —  It is not, I must admit, an exodus of biblical proportions.  This isn't like the entire Jewish nation packing up and getting the heck out of Dodge.  It just feels that way somehow.  —  I tried to explain that to Rangers general manager Jon Daniels on Friday …

Cubs make their pitch for Lilly  —  North Siders offer ex-Jays lefty 4 years in bid to boost rotation  —  The Cubs have made free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly their priority at the upcoming winter meetings and already have an offer on the table.  —  Lilly, who is seeking at least …

Only two Cards offered arbitration  —  No longer conceding a need for three or even two additional starting pitchers, the Cardinals on Friday offered salary arbitration to only two of their seven remaining free agents, lefthander Mark Mulder and their former righthanded Mr. October, Jeff Suppan.

Prime Yank seats will cost a bundle  —  The face value of the highest-priced Yankees ticket purchased on a game day next season will be a whopping $400, representing almost a 300 percent increase.  —  But though there are significant increases throughout the lower two levels …

No arbitration for Nixon  —  Red Sox decline, instead offering it only to reliever Foulke  —  After signaling contrary intentions the day before, the Red Sox last night elected not to offer salary arbitration to outfielder Trot Nixon, who under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement …

Rockies go south for pitching help  —  Lefty Rivera called the best pitcher in Mexico by O'Dowd  —  Oscar Rivera is considered the top young pitcher in the Mexican League.  —  The Rockies want to find out how that translates to the big leagues.  —  Colorado agreed to purchase the left-hander …

Better To Remain Silent And Be Thought A Fool...  We took the end of last week off due to you Yanks deciding to attempt genocide on Jeffrey Loria's favorite object to paint and David Littlefield's specialty in assembling teams.  —  Wow, there's been some weird stuff happening of late.

Villone Remains Option in the Yankees' Bullpen  —  The Yankees planned to offer salary arbitration to the left-handed reliever Ron Villone before last night's midnight deadline, which would ensure them of receiving a 2007 draft choice between the first and second rounds if another team signs him.

Bucs try to fill holes at Winter Meetings  —  Littlefield eyes left-handed first baseman and outfielder  —  PITTSBURGH — While it's unlikely that the Pittsburgh Pirates will be involved in any blockbuster signings when the baseball world descends upon Orlando next week for the annual Winter Meetings …