Sources: Rangers offer minor league deal to Sosa … The Texas Rangers have offered Sammy Sosa a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, where the veteran slugger would have the chance to make the major league club, a source told ESPNdeportes.com Tuesday.

Pitching still a major concern for most teams  —  Major league teams have increased their spending to outrageous new levels, and for what?  —  The free-agent market is nearly dry, spring training is a month away and a significant number of teams are still worried about their starting pitching.

Drew, Red Sox continue negotiating contract  —  It was Dec. 5, at about 6:45 p.m., in the lobby of The Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., when Scott Boras announced that J.D. Drew had agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Red Sox.  Today is Jan. 17, 2007.

Pirates sign Gonzalez, Nady  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  The Pirates on Tuesday avoided arbitration with left-hander Mike Gonzalez and first baseman Xaiver Nady by signing the players to one-year contracts.  —  Terms of the deals were not announced.  —  Gonzalez saved 24 games last season in his first season as the Pirates' closer.

Cabrera will cash in big  —  Arbitration could net star up to $7.4 million  —  That the Marlins and Miguel Cabrera couldn't come to terms Tuesday and avoid arbitration is irrelevant.  —  Win or lose his hearing next month, Cabrera will be among baseball's all-time highest-paid position players …

Nats trade salary figures with five  —  Right-handers Cordero, Patterson looking to cash in for 2007  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals exchanged salary figures with their five arbitration-eligible players — right-handers Chad Cordero and John Patterson, outfielders Alex Escobar and Austin Kearns …

Sox to talk $ with 2 players  —  The Red Sox [team stats] are expected to exchange salary figures with their only two arbitration-eligible players today but are hopeful of avoiding hearings next month for determining how much outfielder Wily Mo Pena and reliever Brendan Donnelly will be paid this year.

A's avoid arbitration with 1-year deals for Bradley, Scutaro, Calero  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics agreed to one-year contracts with outfielder Milton Bradley, infielder Marco Scutaro and right-hander Kiko Calero on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration for all three regulars.

A's owner outlines new ballpark plans in first public meeting  —  FREMONT, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics co-owner Lew Wolff invoked visions of Boston's Fenway Park and Chicago's Wrigley Field as he outlined an ambitious development plan for a new ballpark Tuesday.

Spring tickets on sale Saturday  —  Marlins will kick off Grapefruit League slate Feb. 27  —  MIAMI — Spring Training is quickly approaching for the Florida Marlins, as pitchers and catchers will report to the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter on Feb. 17.  —  The drive for Spring Training tickets also is upon us.

Tigers, four players agree to 1-year deals  —  The Tigers acquired Gary Sheffield days after the World Series ended, had their starting infield under contract by early December, and signed Jeremy Bonderman to a $38-million extension before Christmas.  —  The crisp pace of the club's winter …

Orioles submit arbitration figures … The Orioles submitted arbitration figures to the commissioner's office before Tuesday's deadline for their three eligible players, including second baseman Brian Roberts, whom the club still hopes to sign to a contract extension.

The All-Star Game has changed since its last visit here  —  The last time the baseball All-Star Game was played in St. Louis, in 1966, Allan H.  "Bud" Selig was neither an owner nor a commissioner.  —  Selig, the current Major League Baseball commissioner and former owner of the Milwaukee Brewers …

Rockies hit .800 in avoiding arbitration  —  Colorado signs four but team can't agree on deal with Fogg  —  The Rockies avoided arbitration with four players Tuesday only to receive an unexpected surprise with a fifth.  —  Left fielder Matt Holliday, with a 2007 salary of $4.4 million …

Marlins Mermaids holding open auditions for 2007 squad  —  Dancers interested in participating should register with a resume and head shot by 11 a.m. at Florida International University's Pharmed Arena.  Participants should arrive early and be ready to perform with dance attire and shoes.