Sources: Braves to acquire CF Kotsay from A's … The Atlanta Braves have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire center fielder Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics, filling the hole created by the departure of Andruw Jones.  The deal will be finalized once Kotsay passes a physical for Atlanta …

Clemens sticks to baseball in Texas coaches talk  —  WACO, Texas — Roger Clemens talked about pitching and conditioning.  What he didn't talk about was steroids.  —  In a session before about 1,000 Texas high school baseball coaches Saturday, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner stuck …

Objects Of Their Affection  —  Lucchino Offers Exhibits A & B As Evidence Of New Era For Red Sox  —  HENRY COOK, 8, of West Hartford, was among the hundreds who came to see the teamÂ's 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies.  (BOB MACDONNELL, HARTFORD COURANT / January 11, 2008)

Rusty Hardin Q&A transcript … The following is a transcript of an interview between ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn and Rusty Hardin, the attorney for Roger Clemens, conducted on Friday.  —  The interview will appear on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET on “Outside The Lines.”

Mets must face collapse and fix unsettled rotation  —  The New York Mets must address two issues before opening day.  —  The first is the bedraggled state of the rotation.  If general manager Omar Minaya will include top outfield prospects Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez in a rich package …

Prospectus Q and A: Ned Colletti by David Laurila  —  Ned Colletti … David Laurila: The Hall of Fame announced its results earlier this week.  What are your thoughts on Goose Gossage gaining induction?  —  Ned Colletti: I'm happy for Goose.  He's a good person and he was an outstanding pitcher who changed the game.

Niekro surprised by Clemens' Hall brush off  —  Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro said he was surprised at Roger Clemens' claim that he didn't care whether he someday joins Niekro in Cooperstown.  —  The embattled Clemens went on the offensive in the past week — first in an interview with …

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.

Joba may start in bullpen again  —  The Yankees envision Joba Chamberlain as a starter and they are eager to see what his blazing fastball and electric slider can do as part of their rotation.  But the Bombers also are concerned about how many innings the 22-year-old will throw next season …

Rangers sign Guardado, Wright  —  Texas secures pitching depth with veteran closer, reliever  —  ARLINGTON — Left-hander Eddie Guardado is on board and Jamey Wright is coming back.  The Rangers bullpen will be full of competition and intrigue when pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 14.

Cordero Avoids Arbitration, Agrees to a One-Year Deal  —  Chad Cordero knows firsthand the angst an arbitration hearing can bring, so the Washington Nationals closer was both relieved and happy yesterday when he agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.2 million contract that means he'll have a peaceful spring training.

Starting Concerns: Fit for a Weaver?  —  TOWER GROVE — Unless the Cardinals add a starting pitcher in the coming weeks, they will arrive at spring training with as much hope as guaranteed innings in their starting rotation.  —  And if the past season taught us anything, hope doesn't make his scheduled starts.