Kotsay trade hinges on physical  —  The A's and the Braves edged closer to completing a deal that would send center fielder Mark Kotsay to Atlanta in exchange for right-handed reliever Joey Devine.  —  Oakland also could receive a Class-A pitcher in the deal, according to a Braves source.

Endy hurts other hammy  —  Endy Chavez, who played only 71 games last season because of a strained left hamstring, hurt his right hamstring and ankle in a play at the plate in December in a winter league game in his native Venezuela, but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Baseball fan sues team over drugs  —  A long-time baseball fan is suing the New York Yankees over some players' reported use of performance-enhancing drugs, saying he wants repayment for 221 US dollars (£112) in tickets and a public response from his once-beloved team.

McNamee fires fastballs  —  When Brian McNamee answered questions from federal investigators last year, he didn't volunteer a lot beyond what he was asked.  Now, say sources close to Roger Clemens' former trainer, McNamee is providing additional information to investigators as they prepare for a congressional hearing on Feb. 13.

Numbers, not innuendo, should keep McGwire out of hall  —  Sorry, but unlike some of my colleagues in this business — those who have a Hall of Fame ballot but might not use it — it's not about the inflated muscles.  —  I don't care.  —  It's not about expedited recovery from injuries by using human growth hormone.

Sources: Cards set to send Rolen to Jays for Glaus  —  The St. Louis Cardinals have reached agreement on a trade with Toronto that will send third baseman Scott Rolen to the Blue Jays for third baseman Troy Glaus, two major league sources said.  —  The deal will be completed once …

Mets to hold blood drive on Monday  —  Club offering vouchers for two tickets to April game  —  NEW YORK — The Mets are constantly looking forward: Looking forward to Spring Training, looking forward to next season.  —  Looking forward to saving lives.  —  They'll do so again when they hold …

Throwing away '08?  No way, says A's Wolff  —  A's owner Lew Wolff isn't afraid to make oversized comments about his undersized team.  Many fans remember his “I'll see you at the parade” boast to corporate sponsors before the 2006 season, an indication he fully expected to win the World Series.

Chamberlain will spend spring training preparing for starting role  —  Where Joba Chamberlain begins the 2008 season will have a lot to do with his new manager.  —  Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has spent most of the off-season insisting that the 22-year-old right-hander …

Mission unhurt by omission  —  Baines stays on ballot despite oversight by 1 staunch supporter  —  From this perspective, and understanding that the process never seems to satisfy anyone, it's clear 542 Hall of Fame voters did a fine job this year.  There were 543 votes cast, however, and the exception, sad to say, was yours truly.

Payroll blows past promise  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Three interesting things to come out of last week's spring-training-is-closer-than-you- think media session:  — The payroll most likely will exceed $40-million, a significant increase nearly 70 percent from last season's opening day $24-million.