Report: Jays lock up Overbay  —  Deal would keep first baseman in Toronto through 2010  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays have reportedly lured another player away from the temptation of free agency.  According to The Globe and Mail, Toronto has reached an agreement with first baseman Lyle Overbay on a four-year deal worth $24 million.

Hot Stove: How much can key hitters really improve?  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  There emanates, all through the Pirates' organization, a belief that the young core of the team is bound to improve in 2007.  —  "We're going to get better," general manager Dave Littlefield said.

For Pitchers, National League Really Is an Easier Out  —  The quip has become a chorus.  —  In debating whether Barry Zito will earn his $126 million from the San Francisco Giants after posting a combined 3.85 earned run average with the Oakland Athletics the last two seasons, doubters say, "But he is going to the National League."

Beware the Rocket  —  If the Yankees do win the always much-anticipated and now-annual Roger Clemens Sweepstakes, if they do manage to outbid the Astros and Red Sox for his services, they need to understand that they do not just get his 44-going-on-45 right arm, they also get the questions …

McGwire proud of career, says he has "no control" over Hall of Fame vote  —  TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) — Mark McGwire had little to say about being left out of Cooperstown in his first public comments since the Hall of Fame announcement.  —  The former slugger talked briefly Saturday …

Running in place  —  Sox among majority of AL teams that haven't improved in winter  —  What kind of winter has it been for the White Sox?  —  We won't know if it has been good or bad for a few years, probably, but it says something that Ken Williams recently felt it necessary to remind …

No. 2 is one valuable asset  —  Sunday Conversation with Chris Antonetti: Tribe's assistant GM talks about 'Moneyball,' working with Shapiro and even an NBA star  —  The next general manager of the Indians, or perhaps some other major-league team - his name is on most short lists of candidates …

Capellan's winter continuing in playoffs  —  Starting for Gigantes Del Cibao in Dominican postseason  —  Jose Capellan became a full-time Major Leaguer with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006.  The hard-throwing right-hander appeared in 61 games out of the bullpen, going 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 71 2/3 innings.

What's the big deal?  —  Maybe the mad money strewn about by baseball owners during the off-season won't seem so over-the-top in the wake of David Beckham's five-year, $250 million contract to play soccer in the United States.  Nah, never mind.  Beckham's mega-deal is to one player …

On deck with Donnie  —  UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Yankees fans still see Don Mattingly as a player.  And when the ever-popular icon walked the stage at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center, bat in hand, he still looked as if he could turn around a 95-mph fastball.  —  But fans weren't lined …

Piniella always ready to take up a worthy cause … With less than five weeks until the start of spring training, Lou Piniella is getting more and more excited about getting back in uniform.  He goes to Chicago this week to pick out an apartment, make some appearances and attend his first Cubs Convention …

Brewers pay price to be competitive  —  Suppan deal a sign they think they can win  —  For years, the Milwaukee Brewers were criticized for not bellying up to baseball's cash bar and paying top dollar to keep or acquire top-level talent.  —  The Brewers heard the moans and groans last season …

Clemens still undecided about 2007  —  Pitching legend says he is only considering three teams  —  HOUSTON — Roger Clemens is no closer to a decision on whether he will pitch in 2007, but the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said on Saturday if he does return, he will be behind last season's timetable.