O's Roberts says he used steroids once  —  Associated Press, Updated 8 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has acknowledged using steroids, but insists he only tried it once before realizing he had made a "terrible decision."

Sources: M's in serious talks with Silva  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 44 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Carlos Silva, perhaps the top starting pitcher remaining on the free-agent market, does not figure to be available much longer.  —  The Mariners are in serious negotiations …

A-Rod bats for Oseary's team  —  Yankees' Rodriguez signs management deal  —  Guy Oseary, the former record company executive whose personal management stable includes Madonna, has signed his first athlete, Alex Rodriguez.  —  The New York Yankees third baseman, considered …

Time seems on Sox' side with Santana  —  These things, you surely understand, can take time.  And it may be no different with Johan Santana.  —  The Red Sox contested the Yankees for Jose Contreras right up until Christmas Eve, 2002, before Theo Epstein, then the Sox' assistant general manager …

Hot Stove: Benson airs it out for scouts  —  Right-hander impresses in workout; Dodgers, Rays sign vets  —  Kris Benson threw 60 pitches in the Arizona desert on Monday, jazzing his agent and blowing the minds of the scouts who were on hand to watch him throw.

Pirates hope to catch Estrada  —  Olivo, Miller also on team's list of free-agent inquiries  —  The Pirates' search for a catcher to push or supplant Ronny Paulino has added another prominent name: Johnny Estrada.  —  They are one of three teams seriously bidding for his services through free agency …

Rays Top 11 Prospects  —  Four-Star Prospects  —  Three-Star Prospects  —  Just Missing: Nick Barnese, RHP; John Jaso, C; Chris Mason, RHP; Mitch Talbot, RHP  —  1. Evan Longoria, 3B  —  Drafted: 1st round, 2006, Long Beach State  —  2007 Stats: .307/.403/.528 at Double-A (105 G); .269/.398/.490 at Triple-A (31 G)

AROUND THE HORN: Robertson seeks long-term contract  —  Nate Robertson could become a free agent after the 2009 season, but he wants to remain in the Tigers' starting rotation longer than that.  —  Robertson's agent, Steve Canter, said this week that Robertson would like to sign a long-term contract with the team this winter.

Request for restraining order vs. Dukes dismissed  —  TAMPA, Fla. — A woman's request for a restraining order against Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes was dismissed after she failed to show for a hearing Tuesday.  —  Dukes, who was traded last month by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Nationals, appeared in court alone.

Wait 'Til Next Year  —  Hatching Cardinals  —  Before the 2005 season, the St. Louis Cardinals were rated as the most barren farm system in the Major Leagues.  The team's promise at the major league level was balanced against a very light farm system—a pairing that was surely worth …

O's confirm ticket price increase  —  An Orioles spokesman confirmed yesterday that the club has raised season ticket prices for select seats at Camden Yards for 2008, the first such increase in several years.  —  "Camden Yards remains affordable to everyone as a season-plan holder or on an individual basis …

Mailbag: Will Mitchell Report hurt?  —  MLB.com's Ladson answers fans' Nationals questions … I read the Mitchell Report and saw the sections on Paul Lo Duca.  Are the Nationals going to do anything to address that issue with him?  —  Entering Monday, we have not heard from the Nationals …

Report: Astros make offer to injury-plagued Prior  —  It looks like Mark Prior won't be on the market for very long.  —  Cut loose by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, Prior received an offer from the Houston Astros on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle.