Negotiations heat up to bring back Weaver  —  The Cardinals could still use another starting pitcher.  —  Jeff Weaver could use a team.  —  What appeared to be a long-shot re-signing as recently as two weeks ago now appears to be the defending World Series champions' final offseason priority.

Sutton named Nationals' color analyst  —  Hall of Famer to join Carpenter in broadcasting booth  —  WASHINGTON — Hall of Famer Don Sutton was named the Nationals' color analyst for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network on Monday.  He will join play-by-play broadcaster Bob Carpenter in the booth for more than 150 regular-season games.

Nuttings' stake grew bid by bid  —  Gradual buyout of partners led to control of Pirates  —  Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy and chairman of the board Bob Nutting discuss the "change of control" within the Pirates.  —  The Pirates' ownership is not the most open of operations.

Mailbag: How will Diaz fare in 2007?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions … Victor Diaz was picked up last year in a relatively quiet move.  I know he was pretty highly touted in the Mets system and have wondered why he's not getting more play here as a designated hitter or fourth outfielder.

Delmon could be a dangerous weapon  —  The assignment is to identify the "hottest rookie" who will begin the season in the major leagues.  Thank goodness I can sidestep defining "hot."  Because first, a definition of "rookie" is in order.  —  Like it or not, Daisuke Matsuzaka …

Mailbag: Why not all for Ripken?  —  Beat reporter Spencer Fordin answers O's fans' questions  —  Concerning Cal Ripken Jr.'s impressive 98-plus percent vote into the Hall of Fame, why didn't he receive 100 percent of the vote?  Who could possibly not vote for Ripken's induction?

Mailbag: Surveying the infield situation  —  Mets beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions  —  What do the Mets have planned for Anderson Hernandez in 2007?  He could be a reliable, if not spectacular, defensive backup to Jose Valentin.  His light hitting is less than ideal coming off the bench.

Rangers, Benoit agree to $1.05 million, 1-year deal  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -The Texas Rangers and right-handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit agreed Monday on a $1.05 million, one-year contract.  —  Benoit, who made $800,000 last year, also can earn bonuses of $25,000 each for appearing in 60 and 65 games.

Dodgers slide past arbitration, give Hendrickson one-year deal  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers avoided arbitration with pitcher Mark Hendrickson, agreeing Monday to a one-year contract worth $2,925,000.  —  Hendrickson, a 32-year-old left-hander …

Pistons win sweepstakes, will sign Webber Tuesday … Chris Webber is going home.  —  Literally.  —  Webber told ESPN.com on Monday via e-mail that he has chosen to sign with the Detroit Pistons, which will officially happen Tuesday after he clears waivers at 2 p.m. ET.

WBAL: O's wanted control of shows … The Orioles wanted creative control of all pre- and post-game programming on WBAL Radio (1090 AM), and the station's objection to that was a major reason its 19-year relationship with the club ended, said WBAL vice president and station manager Jeff Beauchamp.

Willis agrees to $6.45 million, 1-year deal  —  MIAMI (AP) — Florida Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis agreed Monday to a one-year contract for $6.45 million, a hefty salary for the team with the lowest payroll in the major leagues by far last year.  —  The deal represents a 48 percent increase …

Mets' skipper deserves better  —  This was early December, after the gloomy haze of the Mets' playoff loss to the Cardinals had evaporated.  The organization was compiling its 2007 to-do list, which included signing Willie Randolph to a multiyear contract extension.