Sosa talking with Rangers  —  NEW YORK (AP) -As dozens of players prepared to exchange salary figures with their teams, Sammy Sosa talked with the Texas Rangers about getting back in baseball.  —  "The workouts and subsequent conversations have been positive.

Mets sign Jorge Sosa to one-year contract  —  Jorge Sosa, who was 13-3 with a 2.55 ERA for the Atlanta Braves in 2005, today signed a one-year major league contract with the New York Mets.  —  "Jorge can start, pitch in the middle or at the end of the game," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya in making the announcement.

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 …

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).

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …