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 …

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).

Tigers won't have to go to arbitration; Taguchi signs  —  Tuesday is the deadline for players and teams to exchange proposed salaries for the arbitration process.  Several players, however, avoided arbitration by agreeing to new deals before the deadline:  —  Detroit Tigers …

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 …

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.

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 …

January 16: Minaya conference call  —  Just got off the phone with Omar Minaya, and here's what's going on:  — Scott Schoeneweis is signed.  Minaya said he's a ground ball pitcher and would fill the same role as Chad Bradford from last year.  Schoeneweis gives the Mets two lefty options in the eighth …

Pirates sign Gonzalez, Nady  —  Pair avoids arbitration, come to terms on one-year deals  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates signed left-hander Mike Gonzalez and outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady to one-year contracts on Tuesday, thus avoiding arbitration with both players.

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 …

Devil Rays' Dukes charged with possession of marijuana  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Elijah Dukes was arrested this week and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a traffic stop.  —  The 22-year-old Dukes, who lives in nearby Brandon …

Angels sign Rodriguez, Shields  —  The Angels avoided arbitration with their top two relievers today, and agreed to terms with arbitration-eligible utility player Robb Quinlan on a two-year, $1.85-million contract.  —  The Angels avoided arbitration with their top two relievers today …

Q&A Colby Rasmus  —  The Cardinals' first pick in the 2005 draft, center fielder Colby Rasmus, excelled through his first full season in pro ball and is widely considered not only the team's top prospect but its center fielder of the future.  —  The organization increased his profile …

Phillies, Rowand avoid arbitration  —  Outfielder Aaron Rowand avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal with the Phillies, Assistant General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.  —  Rowand will earn a base salary of $4.35 million, including award and performance bonuses.

Crede inks deal to avoid arbitration  —  White Sox and third baseman agree to one-year contract  —  CHICAGO — Joe Crede and the White Sox avoided arbitration for a second straight year by agreeing to a one-year, $4.94 million deal Tuesday.  The third baseman will earn $2 million more than last season …

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.