Source: Randolph, Mets agree on terms of new deal  —  NEW YORK — The New York Mets and manager Willie Randolph agreed in principle Wednesday on a new three-year contract that runs through 2009.  —  The deal is scheduled to be announced Thursday, a baseball executive familiar with the negotiations said …

Pirates near two-year deal with Sanchez  —  Team also in talks with free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates and National League batting champion Freddy Sanchez are close to agreement on a two-year contract.

Chicago native Floyd signs with Cubs  —  One-year, $3 million deal adds lefty bat, improves depth  —  CHICAGO — Cliff Floyd can't wait to enjoy his mother's home cooking on a regular basis.  —  The Cubs completed their free agent acquisitions Wednesday, signing Floyd to a one-year …

Yankee old timers urge A-Rod to step up  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Yankee veterans agreed on Tuesday that the Bronx Bombers needed Alex Rodriguez to rise to the occasion in the postseason to help them return to World Series glory in 2007.  —  The 1977 Yankees were honored …

Yanks Hope to Get a Jump in China  —  The Yankees are coming, the Yankees are coming.  That's what the Chinese are shouting in China today because the Yankees are heading there in their latest international exploration.  Vasco da Gama and Magellan had nothing on them.

Mariners Notebook: Felix looking fit; Hargrove fired up  —  Hernandez set for spring after losing 20 pounds  —  The Mariners showed off a trimmed-down Felix Hernandez and a newly fired-up manager Mike Hargrove on Wednesday at their annual pre-spring training media get-together.

Nats Proceed With Caution  —  Sitting earlier this week at a forum at his alma mater, Washington Nationals owner Theodore Lerner likened his family's first year at the helm of the District's Major League Baseball franchise to freshman year at college, full of unexpected experiences and adjustments.

There's a mound of candidates for bullpen  —  The Red Sox now have nine relievers under contract after avoiding arbitration with Brendan Donnelly, who agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal Tuesday.  Under terms of the contract, Donnelly is to receive an additional $25,000 for 25 games finished and $25,000 for 30 games finished.

Low price could mean Zambrano returns  —  The Mets, aware that their starting rotation is replete with questions, hope to sign one more low-cost free-agent starting pitcher, a person familiar with the situation said yesterday.  Victor Zambrano, best known for being on the wrong side …

ESPN Hires Frank Robinson As an Analyst  —  ESPN announced yesterday that it has hired former Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson as an analyst during spring training and the first two weeks of the season, part of the cable network's efforts to celebrate the 60th anniversary …

Posada wants Bernie  —  Catcher says popular OF could be a standby in case there's an injury  —  Realistically, Bernie Williams has two options in his baseball future: retire, or leave the Yankees to play for another team.  —  The problem, as Jorge Posada confirmed last night …

FanFest a chance to meet the Marlins  —  Event to take place at Dolphin Stadium on Feb. 10  —  MIAMI — Before the Marlins head up to Jupiter for Spring Training, fans will have several opportunities to get up close and personal with the club.  —  The biggest chance to meet the players …

SPECIAL REPORT: Talent pool left shallow by lack of leagues  —  The times have certainly changed since 1995, when Hideo Nomo left Japan for the majors and was branded a traitor by the baseball establishment.  Although Nomo left through a loophole, movement of Japanese stars to the majors is now an accepted part of the game.

Friars to open new Dominican academy  —  Club feels state-of-the-art facility will improve local presence  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Carrie Weise's agenda for a few days during the second week of January was simple.  The Padres season-ticket holder planned to head down to the island …