Agent: Rockies agree to deal with Lawrence  —  Pitcher still may need recovery time after missing 2006 season  —  The Rockies were rewarded for their persistence Sunday when pitcher Brian Lawrence agreed in principle on a one-year deal with a club option for 2008, according to his agent.

Schuerholz tops list of general managers  —  This winter's round of signings and trades are, for the most part, over and done with.  So the time for assessment has arrived.  —  It's not hard to find opinions on how each team's general manager has fared throughout the most recent Hot Stove season …

Cubs, Floyd closing in on contract  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Cliff Floyd and the Chicago Cubs are nearing agreement on a one-year contract, a deal that may include an option for 2008 that the outfielder can control.  —  Floyd, who was born in Chicago, is likely to make a decision this week.

Open Water  —  The "shark" is now officially in the waters of Major League Baseball, and a recent article asks if Jeff Samardzija is a good investment for the Cubs.  I think it is a good question; as for the answer: it depends.  There is no way I can comment on the quality of pitching repertoire …

Pirates ramp up pursuit of Ohka  —  Lawrence, another free-agent pitcher, chooses Rockies  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  With Brian Lawrence out of the picture, the Pirates have escalated efforts to sign free-agent starter Tomo Ohka.  —  And they should know soon if there will be a payoff.

Michael Morrissey Interview … WasWatching.com: Your book, The Pride and the Pressure: A Season Inside the New York Yankee Fishbowl, is slated for release on April 10th of this year.  What can you tell us about the book now and what was the driving force behind your decision to write it?

Inside Dish: Teams not biting on Upton  —  The Devil Rays have been willing to talk about trading top hitting prospects OF Delmon Young and IF B.J. Upton all winter, but the player teams are more wary of might surprise you.  It's not Young, who was suspended for 50 games last summer …

Longtime editor of Sporting News dies  —  Reidenbaugh helped publication become "Bible of Baseball"  —  Lowell Reidenbaugh, long-time managing editor of The Sporting News, died Saturday in St. Louis.  He was 87.  —  During Reidenbaugh's tenure, the St. Louis-based weekly publication was known as the "Bible of Baseball."

Chase Utley and Phillies Reach 7-Year Deal  —  From Scott Lauber and The News Journal: … Whoa.  —  Just a few days ago, the Phillies and the Utley camp were exchanging arbitration figures ranging from $4.5 million to $6.5 million for the 2007 season.  As it turns out, those discussions hardly qualify as sparring.

Cancer claims ex-pitcher Ruhle, 55  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Vern Ruhle, a former major league pitcher and coach for several teams, died after a yearlong battle with cancer.  He was 55.  —  Ruhle died Saturday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston of complications from treatment for multiple myeloma …

Cashman glad he's not Boss' puppet anymore  —  The Yankees have gone six seasons without winning the World Series, a baseball eternity for a team of their stature.  But Kevin Towers cannot remember a time when Brian Cashman has been happier.  —  "He had gotten to a point where he was beyond frustrated …

It's 'Moneybull'  —  Skippers underappreciated, underpaid  —  It appears the Mets and Willie Randolph are moving inexorably on agreeing to disagree in regard to the manager's value in a contract extension.  But while I'm told the negotiations between the two sides have been amicable …

Hot Stove: Torres ready, willing to face heat  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Earlier in the week, before the Adam LaRoche trade rocked the Pirates' world, before Mike Gonzalez was sent off to Atlanta, Salomon Torres was choosing his words carefully when speaking …

Wax museum to put Met in lineup  —  It might finally be the Mets' turn to step up to the plate.  —  Although Madame Tussauds wax museum on W. 42nd St. boasts five Yankees on its roster and no Amazin's, that's about to change, according to Crain's New York Business.