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.

Cubs kick off caravan with good news  —  Offseason progress of recovering hurlers has team optimistic  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs began their winter Cubs Caravan tour on Wednesday with good news regarding Mark Prior, who is throwing off the mound and making good progress.

Rangers see Sosa as a middle man  —  Rangers manager Ron Washington and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo caution that Sammy Sosa won't be awarded a roster spot simply based on a resume that includes 588 career home runs.  —  But the new manager was impressed enough by what he saw Monday …

Putz agrees to three-year contract  —  Reliever had 36 saves in first season as Mariners' closer  —  SEATTLE — When J.J. Putz finally reached his former teammate and good friend Eddie Guardado by phone earlier this week, Putz didn't waste time with any ordinary salutation.  —  Instead, Putz offered but one word.

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.

Bonds: McGwire and Rose belong in Hall of Fame  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Barry Bonds thinks Mark McGwire and Pete Rose belong in the Hall of Fame.  —  The Baseball Writers' Association of America elected Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn to the Hall last week, but denied McGwire.

Mets Won't Trade Their Future at the Present Time  —  The telephone calls keep coming, so Mets General Manager Omar Minaya keeps listening.  But trading away premium talent for a modest starter is not going to happen.  So Minaya has resisted all comers, and will take a chance …

Matsuzaka needs to shoot for Nomo's numbers … With all due respect to Greg Maddux, Barry Zito and Jose Mesa, there's really not much competition for the title Hottest Pitcher Acquisition of the Offseason.  Clearly, that great honor goes to Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston's $103.1 million man.

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 …

Nationals agree to deals with Snelling, 12 others  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Chris Snelling agreed to a $450,000, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, who exchanged arbitration figures with five players Tuesday.  —  Among those submitting arbitration figures were starter John Patterson …

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 …

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 …

For Coste, coast is not clear  —  Phillies catcher likely to be relegated to reserve role  —  PHILADELPHIA — Sitting at a table marked for him as a guest on the Phillies' Winter Tour, Chris Coste rehashed stories about his year of personal satisfaction and the subsequent calm offseason.