Nats agree to minor league deal with Young  —  VIERA, Fla. — Former All-Star Dmitri Young agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, getting another chance after the Detroit Tigers cut him last year following legal and substance-abuse problems.

Rivera says he'll consider offers from other teams  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Mariano Rivera had this warning for the New York Yankees: If he becomes a free agent, he'll consider offers from other teams.  —  "Everybody has the same shot," he said Wednesday.  "The Yankees will not have an advantage."

DiNardo to A's  —  Cross Lenny DiNardo off your list of potential Red Sox closers for 2007 because he's headed for Oakland.  The A's claimed DiNardo off waivers today.  —  The Red Sox announced that right fielder J.D. Drew, who signed a $70 million deal with Boston as a free agent on January 26 …

Pittsburgh Pirates Roundtable #15  —  On Monday, you read what our regulars had to say.  Now, you get to hear from the enemy: Enjoy the contrasting opinions that these big timers provide, and feel free to rip each other apart in the comments.  Nothing like a good division rivalry, eh?  —  Question:

Determined Vargas Vies for Mets' Rotation  —  Five-year-old Jason Vargas scampered around the batting cage, helping some of the Victor Valley High players retrieve balls, when he reached a milestone in his development.  Vargas did not notice a pitch hurtling toward the plate when he trotted out to grab a stray ball.

Notes: Kotchman ready to regain job  —  First baseman healthy after missing most of 2006 season  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Casey Kotchman was possibly the happiest player in Angels camp Wednesday.  —  After a year of frustration in which a stubborn bout with mononucleosis caused …

Spring's 10 burning questions  —  With pitchers and catchers officially reporting Thursday, all we have are questions without definitive answers.  —  It's always fun to take a gander, though, so here are 10 of the biggest issues entering this season and our best ripostes.  —  Sure.

Spring Training: Japanese pitcher steals spotlight  —  Followed by large media contingent, Kuwata aims high with Pirates  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  On this, the day the Pirates' pitchers and catchers report for work in Bradenton, Fla., no fewer than a dozen cameras …

Wrigley to feature Under Armour ads  —  Signs will be first allowed on stadium's outfield doors  —  MESA, Ariz. — The green doors tucked into the ivy in the left- and right-field bleachers of Wrigley Field will be decorated with 7-by-12 foot advertisements, touting Under Armour's signature logo.

Giants expect Bonds in camp next week  —  Slugger has yet to sign contract after rejected clause deleted  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Though Barry Bonds' contract situation still appears to be tangled, it could be heading toward some sort of resolution.  —  Giants general manager Brian Sabean told …

Around the Horn: Bench  —  Counsell and Miller among former starters coming off the bench … MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin doesn't like the notion of "bench players."  —  "They don't play on the bench," Melvin said while taking a stroll around Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday morning.