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 …

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 …

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 …

'It's never enough'  —  Jackie's widow wants more progress  —  As black and white images of Jackie Robinson's life flashed on multiple television screens above the main floor of the ESPN Zone in midtown last night, Willie Randolph was introduced to warm applause from the capacity crowd.

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 …

Nyjer Morgan, of, Pirates  —  Born: July 2, 1980.  • B-T: L-L.  • Ht.: 6-0.  • Wt.: 170.  • Drafted: Walla Walla (Wash.) CC, D/F 2002 (33rd round).  • Signed by: Kevin Clouser.  —  Morgan made a big splash in his pro debut after signing as a draft-and-follow in 2003 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.