Pirates agree to terms with Kolb, Sanchez  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates today agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with free-agent reliever Dan Kolb and avoided arbitration with third baseman Freddy Sanchez by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Pavano: I'll win Bombers back  —  Carl Pavano's extended absence from the Yankees' clubhouse over the past two years has been something of a running joke among his teammates.  One injury would appear just as another had healed, keeping the pitcher on the disabled list and the Yankees on edge …

Lies, Damned Lies  —  PECOTA Takes on Catching Prospects  —  Catching prospects are sort of like pitching prospects.  There are a few guys who distinguish themselves, but mostly you're left with an unwashed mass of players with some residual value by virtue of the fact that there are just 60-70 catchers …

Ghana's 'Old School' Little Leaguers  —  iTeam correspondent T.J. Quinn is in Ghana, traveling with Mets GM Omar Minaya, Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, former Yankees GM Bob Watson, former Giants and Cubs manager Dusty Baker, and former major leaguers Reggie Smith and Al Jackson (an original Met) …

Veteran Dominican seeks opportunity … CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — Jose Lima never doubts his ability to rise from the ashes and have another resurgence in baseball, as he has done several times in his career.  —  "There's still a lot of 'Mambo' left," Lima told ESPNdeportes.com …

Ex-Cardinal Belliard named as target in extortion case  —  Former Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard is the professional athlete at the center of a federal extortion case, the brother of the accused said Friday.  —  Milo Edwards said the name of his brother, George H. Edwards, 48 …

Rangers' present could be future  —  The Rangers have long said that they want Michael Young and Mark Teixeira, who they consider franchise players, to remain in the organization for the long-term.  The time to ensure that happens might be now.  —  Few top-tier players remain with their teams once …

Mets coaches receive new contracts  —  Peterson signed through 2009; rest of staff also ink deals  —  NEW YORK — Ten days after the Mets extended the contract of manager Willie Randolph through the 2009 season, they announced they have signed pitching coach Rick Peterson for the same period.

'Toughest division' tougher  —  Indians ready to make serious run in AL Central  —  At one time or another in the last two seasons, the American League Central has been the home to four of the strongest teams in the major leagues.  The only one that didn't make it even to the playoffs …