MLB helps revive push for new Marlins ballpark  —  MIAMI — The Florida Marlins have remained on the sideline during baseball's winter spending spree, a tight budget preventing them from addressing roster deficiencies that spoiled their surprising bid for a playoff berth in 2006.

Cubs, Ohman agree to $2.5 million, 2-year contract  —  CHICAGO (AP) -The Chicago Cubs and reliever Will Ohman agreed Tuesday on a $2.5 million, two-year contract.  —  A 29-year-old left-hander, Ohman was 1-1 with a 4.13 ERA last year and set career highs in appearances (78), innings (65 1-3) and strikeouts (74).

Slammin' Sammy returning?  —  The Rangers' search for another right-handed bat has led them to Sammy Sosa, who worked out for the Rangers and had dinner with general manager Jon Daniels and owner Tom Hicks on Monday.  —  Sosa, who was signed as a free agent by the Rangers in 1985 and later traded …

Sources: Yankee Stadium to host '08 All-Star Game … Yankee Stadium will be the site of the 2008 All-Star Game, sources in baseball said, in the last year of the ballpark.  —  The new Yankee Stadium is scheduled to open in 2009, and old Yankee Stadium closed, 86 years after the ballpark …

Sheffield Makes Noise Again, This Time in a Book  —  In an autobiography to be published this spring, Gary Sheffield, a player famous for voicing his displeasure, describes his relationship with Barry Bonds, his link to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case …

Rockies sign Mabry  —  While continuing to pursue right-hander Brian Lawrence, the Rockies landed their potential left-handed bat off the bench today.  —  Colorado signed veteran John Mabry, 36, to a one-year, minor-league deal.  Mabry, who finished last season with the Chicago Cubs …

Opting for low risk  —  Always looking for yet another low-risk, high-reward piece to the puzzle, general manager Omar Minaya will add Jorge Sosa to his pitching ranks this week when the Mets formally announce his one-year, $1.25-million deal for next season.

Does Tom have Secret he'd like to share?  —  Has Tom Brady [stats] traded up?  Word from San Diego is that supermodel Gisele Bundchen - who once professed her admiration for the New England Patriots [team stats] QB/QT - was outside the Pats' locker room after Tom & Co. shocked the Chargers on Sunday.

Michaels, Tribe reach two-year deal  —  Pending physical, left fielder will split duties in '07 with Dellucci  —  CLEVELAND — Jason Michaels might see a drop in his playing time in 2007, but he'll also see a bump in his pay and a little more stability in his status.

Mench, Brewers avoid arbitration  —  Outfielder comes to terms on one-year contract  —  MILWAUKEE — For the first time this winter, Kevin Mench's name came up in something other than a trade rumor.  The outfielder signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Royals have a potential star in Gordon … When Dayton Moore took over as general manager of the woeful Kansas City Royals, he inherited the worst 25-man roster in the big leagues and an organization almost completely devoid of pitching.  But the cupboard wasn't bare, as the Royals …

Second player needed for LaRoche deal, but who?  —  Pirates, Braves still stuck on Atlanta first baseman  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates are, by all accounts, casting a wide net in their search for a left-handed power bat, particularly in light …

Little could get contract extension  —  With the Dodgers' chances of landing a power hitter before spring training dwindling, extending the contract of Manager Grady Little is one of the few loose ends.  —  Little and General Manager Ned Colletti have developed such a strong relationship that neither man considers the matter urgent.

Rangers avoid arbitration with three  —  Bauer, Otsuka and Wilkerson agree to one-year deals  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers have once again avoided an arbitration hearing with one of their players.  —  The club announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement on one-year contracts …

Prospectus Q&A  —  Bill James  —  Bill James is the author of many books, including The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, and Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame. … David Laurila: What are your thoughts on this year's Hall of Fame voting?  —  Bill James: Well, Gwynn and Ripken are obvious Hall of Famers.