Sources: Braves trade LaRoche to Bucs for Gonzalez … The Pittsburgh Pirates, filling their need for a left-handed power bat, acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez, two sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

Rangers should steer clear of Sosa  —  Slugger, a shadow of former self, could be a clubhouse distraction  —  There's no need for the Rangers to sign Sammy Sosa.  —  They don't need him to contend in the American League West or take spring training at-bats away from young players such as Jason Botts, Victor Diaz and Nelson Cruz.

Cardinals join Bush league — at White House  —  WASHINGTON - The World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals - players, manager, owners and announcers - gathered at the White House Tuesday to meet President George W. Bush.  They were accompanied by as many members of the Missouri congressional delegation as could squeeze in.

Top prospects: Nos. 75-61  —  Humber, Pedroia could make big league impact in '07  —  Few players are as highly valued within an organization as its prospects.  For the fourth consecutive year, I will rank the top 75 prospects in baseball (and honorable mentions), beginning with Nos. 75-61 and counting down the next five weekdays.

Around the Horn: Middle infielders  —  Experience rules at heart of Giants' defense … SAN FRANCISCO — There's a new Giants TV series airing next baseball season: "Two Men and a Kid."  —  The cast?  Shortstop Omar Vizquel, 39, second baseman Ray Durham, 35, and the promising sprite …

Unsigned Bonds Awaits Further Review  —  Six weeks after they agreed to terms on new contracts, Barry Bonds and J. D. Drew remain unsigned.  Bonds hasn't signed with the Giants; Drew hasn't signed with the Red Sox.  That prompts a thought.  If both contracts were to fall through …

Phillies add new fire to their lineup  —  Will it be enough to heat up the super-cool Pat Burrell?  —  There isn't much chance the Phillies deliberately attempted to add energy and attitude to their roster by emulating the Eagles' mid-season resurgence.  —  So it's mere coincidence …

Holliday's salary soars in 2007  —  Outfielder climbs to $4.4 million after $500,000 year  —  Matt Holliday shaved his head this offseason, no longer interested in the fuss to get ready.  —  The Rockies felt similarly about his contract on Tuesday, signing the outfielder …

Player Profile  —  Julio Lugo  —  Julio Lugo is the new shortstop for the Red Sox, after years of rumors that the organization was looking to acquire him.  As a player, Lugo is not exactly a model of consistency.  He's been a plus glove some years, a minus glove in others …

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.

Drew's health still concerns Boston  —  Drew's health concerns Boston  —  The health of outfielder J.D. Drew is always an issue.  —  On Dec. 5, super-agent Scott Boras announced Drew had agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with Boston.  The Red Sox have yet to announce an agreement.

Marcus Giles detained after fight at Qualcomm  —  New Padres second baseman Marcus Giles was handcuffed, detained and escorted from Qualcomm Stadium during Sunday's Chargers playoff game after getting involved in a fight on the stadium's club level, according to police.

Win or lose, Cubs will have to pay  —  Arbitration season in swing; Zambrano seeking $15.5 million  —  Carlos Zambrano followed Cubs general manager Jim Hendry's spending spree closely from his Venezuelan home this off-season, knowing his turn to cash in was just around the corner.

Another Look at Starting Rotations  —  My pair of articles on starting rotation slots last month found a lot of readers, a lot of criticism, and a lot of misunderstanding.  My analysis (along with Chris Jaffe's, published at about the same time) looked at past data and determined—post facto—how rotations performed.

A site you can't take your eyes off  —  Ferguson Jenkins lost six games by 1-0 scores in 1968.  —  Barry Bonds has earned $172 million in salary over his career.  The attendance at the final game at Ebbets Field was 6,702 (no wonder the Dodgers moved).  January 17 is the birthday of Chili Davis …

M's get roster ready for spring  —  The Mariners introduced left-handed starter Horacio Ramirez and switch-hitting designated hitter Jose Vidro on Tuesday, likely the last two pieces of the 40-man roster that will arrive at spring training in a month.  —  In a flurry of moves ahead …