Japan's baseball owners looking for ways to keep talent from leaving  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  TOKYO — Japan's baseball owners are looking for ways to reduce the talent drain to the major leagues.  —  Under Japanese baseball rules, a player cannot become a free agent until …

Mets, Randolph agree to new deal  —  Manager to get three-year contract with a club option for 2010  —  NEW YORK — In the moments of exalt that followed the Mets' elimination of the Dodgers from the postseason in October, Willie Randolph spoke about how much he enjoyed watching his players celebrate.

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.

Business of Baseball Report  —  MLB Close to Deal With DirecTV Over Extra Innings  —  In a somewhat surprising move, MLB is close to an agreement with DirecTV that would give the satellite television company an exclusive agreement for the league's Extra Innings baseball package.

The Wit and Wisdom of Cliff Floyd  —  I sure hope Moises Alou knows how to talk, because we're losing a great, quotable guy with Cliff Floyd signing with the Cubs.  My all-time favorite Floyd quotes:  —  "Things just ain't looking bright.  You have to find a bright spot.

Historical WSAB: 41 through 80  —  Last week, I presented a ranking of everyday players based on a new twist on Win Shares: Win Shares Above Bench.  I believe this is a definite improvement over basic Win Shares (as discussed last week).  Although it's not perfect, it's pretty darn good for ranking the all-time best.

Focused Thome looks ahead to 500  —  Slugger acknowledges landmark while preparing to stay strong  —  PEORIA, Ill. — Jim Thome looks ahead at his illustrious baseball career and quickly realizes there are more years in baseball behind him than ahead of him.

Mets and Aaron Sele agree to a one-year contract  —  Aaron Sele, who has posted a 145-110 record during his major league career, today signed a one-year minor league contract with the New York Mets.  —  Sele, a 36-year-old righthander who was selected to two American League All-Star teams …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Tigers agree to minor league deal with LHP Eischen  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms with left-hander Joey Eischen on a minor league contract Thursday.  —  The Tigers also have invited catcher Dusty Ryan to major league camp in Lakeland, Fla., where pitchers and catchers are to report Feb. 15.

Sox make Cash call for backup  —  Playing the role of Ken Huckaby as the Red Sox [team stats]' backup to the backup catcher this year will be Kevin Cash, who signed a Triple-A deal with Pawtucket, the Red Sox announced yesterday.  —  Cash, 29, received an invitation to spring training …