Ohka out of Pirates' plan, but Armas in  —  Team talking with former Nationals pitcher  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  As the field of right-handed starters in free agency keeps dwindling for the Pirates — their talks with Tomo Ohka suddenly broke off yesterday …

With Two Deals Stalled, Joke Never Gets Started  —  You would think that when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, it would have liberated their fans, enabled all of them to smile and laugh.  —  For whatever reason, however, some segment of that fan base doesn't recognize a joke when it encounters one …

Mailbag: How will the Nats fare in 2007?  —  Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Do you have any predictions on how the Nationals will play in 2007?  — Mark R., Ottawa, Canada  —  It's too early, Mark.  Before I make a prediction, I want to see how the …

Erstad could still return to Angels  —  Free agent Darin Erstad still could return to the Angels as a backup first baseman and outfielder, but the Marlins and White Sox are offering him greater playing time, according to his agent, Greg Genske.  —  The Cubs, who remain interested in Erstad …

Athletics agree to terms with Justin Duchscherer  —  A's pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 16  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics announced Monday the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on one-year contract for the 2007 season, avoiding arbitration.

Mailbag: Young players add value  —  Tigers reporter Jason Beck answers fans' questions  —  You frequently have to respond to the e-mailers' unrealistic expected returns in trade offers for some of the younger players in the organization.  Is there more value in an older soon-to-be free agent …

Dodgers, Rudy Seanez agree to terms  —  Right-hander Rudy Seanez and the Dodgers have agreed to a minor league contract that could pay the veteran relief pitcher $1.2 million if he meets performance incentives.  —  Seanez, a 15-year veteran who split last season with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres …

It's official: Yanks to host '08 All-Star game  —  After three years of discussion and planning, the Yankees, Major League Baseball and New York City are ready to formalize one of the area's worst-kept secrets.  —  At a news conference a week from Tuesday, two people familiar …

Stats Geek: Why not make Pirates' lineup top heavy?  —  By Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Adam LaRoche is no superstar, but the fanfare for his arrival is deserved.  LaRoche is the prototypical Lefty McThump the slugging-deprived Pirates needed, and you can pencil him in for 25 to 30 home runs for the next few years.

Rejuvenated Sosa poised for comeback  —  He's hit 588 career home runs.  Only Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays have more.  He's also driven in nearly 1,600 runs and has a respectable career batting average of .274.  —  On top of that, he's the only player in baseball history …

Lopez, Nationals avoid arbitration  —  Last week, infielder Felipe Lopez and the Nationals exchanged arbitration figures, with Lopez wanting $4.1 million and the Nationals offering him $3.7 million.  The two parties reached a compromised when Lopez agreed to a one year, $3.9 million contract on Monday night.

Mets host blood drive at Shea  —  Club draws hundreds to event held at Diamond Club  —  NEW YORK — The Diamond Club at Shea Stadium looked like a hospital emergency ward on Monday, with nurses scrambling around attending to the constant flow of patients filling two dozen gurneys.

Mailbag: What's going on with Gibbons?  —  Orioles reporter Fordin answers fans' questions  —  What are the team's long-term plans for Jay Gibbons?  I have always appreciated his bat and defense as well as his ability to fight through injuries.  —  Baltimore signed Gibbons …

McPherson opts for back surgery  —  Procedure to remove disk will likely sideline infielder 6 months  —  Dallas McPherson will have surgery Tuesday to repair a lower-back condition that has not improved through rehab.  —  The power-hitting third baseman will undergo a procedure to remove …