Erstad foresees a title for the Sox—and Bears  —  Being an ex-football player at Nebraska and this being his first day in Chicago, Darin Erstad was asked who was going to win the Super Bowl.  —  "Bears," he said without hesitation.  —  Aha, the newest member of the White Sox is a quick learner.

Weaver and Mariners close in on 1-year deal for $8,325,000  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Weaver and the Seattle Mariners have just about finalized a one-year contract worth $8,325,000 — the same salary he had last year.  —  Only minor details remain for the deal to be worked out …

Deal is done, but job isn't  —  For Willie, ring's thing  —  Despite getting the job security that comes with a new three-year contract, Willie Randolph knows he still has work to do with the Mets.  —  "I've tapped into our team and they've tapped somewhat into me," Randolph said yesterday …

Pirates re-introduce red to uniforms  —  Bucs unveil new alternative home jerseys for 2007 season  —  PITTSBURGH — There's an initiative from the Mayor's office here to clean up the city called, "Let's Redd Up Pittsburgh."  —  To Redd up, for those not familiar with Pittsburghese …

Yankees' farm system packed with punch … The Yankees have long had the game's biggest payroll, but their farm system has lain fallow for several years, the result of some uninspired draft picks and trades that rid the system of the few prospects who remained.

Cubs only have a decent shot to win NL Central  —  How much do faith and hope cost on the North Side of Chicago?  —  A plausible guess might be $300 million.  This winter, the Cubs, after the recent signing of outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year, $3-million pact, have spent …

Capitol idea: Senator Schilling?  Curt's not so sure, but fans think he's just the ticket  —  Curt Schilling seemed surprised yesterday by the sudden groundswell of local supporters hoping to draft him into national politics and a 2008 Senate run against John Kerry.

Seeking Edge in China, Yankees Put Baseball First  —  The Yankees consider themselves the most driven team in a competitive sport, so their push to boost baseball in China is not purely altruistic.  They believe there is talent to be cultivated in China, and when future prospects have a choice …

Delegation to visit Ghana to promote baseball  —  NEW YORK — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya will be among a delegation of baseball officials going to Accra, Ghana, next week to hold a clinic and promote baseball.  —  Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, former San Francisco …

A NEW CARL  —  RECOVERING PAVANO SET TO TAKE THE HILL  —  You have heard this before.  Now, get ready to arch your eyebrows again.  Carl Pavano will throw a bullpen session today in Phoenix.  —  After spending the winter in Phoenix working out with fitness guru Brett Fischer to reinvent …

Hernandez on a roll in playoffs  —  Infielder leads Dominican Winter League with a .387 average  —  Anderson Hernandez is the leading hitter in the Dominican Winter League playoffs, with a .387 average in 19 games for the Tigres del Licey.  —  Hernandez did not play in the first two games …

NL Focus: Ranking the catchers  —  SN correspondents examine the catching situations for each team in the National League:  —  1. Braves  —  Brian McCann, Brayan Pena  —  McCann became one of the game's elite hitting catchers in his first full season; now he'll try to improve at throwing out runners.

Business of baseball taking new turns  —  Owners looking for new ways to expand team's revenues  —  A group of executives from the New York Yankees will make a trip to China and Japan next week.  —  A company connected to the Boston Red Sox — the Fenway Sports Group — is about to invest in a NASCAR stock-car team.