Cubs' Samardzija commits to baseball  —  Standout wide receiver at Notre Dame forgoes football career  —  CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija, whom the Cubs selected in the fifth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, will forgo the National Football League Draft and commit to a baseball career.

Padres, Wells agree to 1-year deal  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — David Wells is all but penciled in as the No. 5 starter for his hometown San Diego Padres.  —  The Padres and Wells' agent agreed in principle Friday to a $3 million, one-year deal that gives the 43-year-old left-hander the chance to make another $4 million in incentives.

Tribe, Nixon agree on one-year deal  —  Veteran brings leadership, playoff experience to outfield  —  CLEVELAND — Trot Nixon picked the team.  His 5-year-old son, Chase, picked the number.  —  When Nixon's one-year, $3 million deal with the Indians, which was announced Friday, was finished …

The price is ... different … The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox might be tough on the Orioles on the field, but they've been terrific at the box office.  —  So to apparently cash in on the popularity of their fiercest rivals, the Orioles are charging extra for single-game tickets …

Cubs already thinking big  —  Piniella, players expect to contend for title in 2007  —  Derrek Lee sent Michael Barrett a text message on his cell phone the other day reminding him of what to expect during the long road ahead.  —  "He [said]: 'This is our year,'" Barrett said Friday on the opening day of the Cubs Convention.

Chavez on a tear in winter ball  —  Major Leaguer among the top hitters in Venezuelan league  —  Endy Chavez is used to making highlight-reel plays during the postseason, so his performance in the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs has come as no surprise.  —  The 28-year-old outfielder stole …

Pirates announce details for 2007 PirateFest  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates will host PirateFest 2007 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, January 26 - 28.  Now in its 17th year, PirateFest is a giant indoor baseball carnival for the entire family, featuring live events, free autograph sessions …

Ortiz expected to join rotation picture  —  Former Nationals right-hander brings experience to Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins are close to signing right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a one-year deal.  —  The deal, which the Star Tribune is reporting to be worth $3.1 million, will not be completed until Ortiz passes his physical.

Rodney, Tigers finalize two-year deal  —  Setup man prevents arbitration with incentive-filled contract  —  DETROIT — A couple of days after agreeing to a one-year deal, the Tigers and reliever Fernando Rodney added another.  Rodney now has a two-year contract worth at least $2.7 million …

When did hate take over sports?  —  After one of the greatest victories in Patriots history, after one of the defining Sundays of the Belichick-Brady Era, after an absolute roller-coaster ride of a win, after one of the more memorable they-had-absolutely-no-business- winning-that-thing games in recent memory …

Who's going to fill Selig's shoes? … Bud Selig recently announced plans to step down as baseball commissioner in 2009, when his contract expires.  He'll be 75 years old then, and he plans to spend his free time teaching, writing a book, enjoying scenic Milwaukee sunsets and doing whatever else it is that former commissioners do.

Giant Does Not Blame Bonds for Link to Positive Drug Test  —  This should have been a feel-good event, part of a fanfest weekend being staged by the San Francisco Giants.  Maybe some softball questions from reporters and some home run responses from the 14 Giants players who were taking part.

Pirates' Chacon agrees to 1-year deal  —  PITTSBURGH - Right-hander Shawn Chacon, the leading contender for the final spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation, bypassed salary arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3,825,000.  —  Chacon, who split last season between …