MLB hands Yankees' Mitre 50-game suspension  —  New York Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre has received a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.  Like Philadelphia Phillies reliever J.C. Romero, Mitre claims he had no desire to break baseball rules and that he took …

Andy Pettitte Rejects Yankees' Offer, Making Return Uncertain  —  In some ways, Andy Pettitte is no different from the dozens of other free agents to start the new year without a team.  Players all over baseball are waiting for better offers, and teams are searching for bargains.

Brewers ‘not in’ on Lowe sweepstakes  —  GM Melvin sets to rest rumors that club is chasing 35-year-old righty  —  MILWAUKEE — The Derek Lowe-to-the-Brewers rumblings can be put to rest.  —  “We're not in on him,” general manager Doug Melvin said of the free-agent right-hander.

Bradley joins Cubs; Rangers turn to Cruz  —  FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS  —  News that Milton Bradley has agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs didn't send shockwaves through the Texas Rangers' offices on a chilly Monday.  —  Bradley, who became an All-Star for the first time last year with the Rangers …

Rays land power bat in Burrell  —  Right-handed slugger signs two-year, $16 million contract  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The suspense is over: Pat Burrell is the power bat the Rays have been looking to land.  —  On Monday afternoon, the Rays signed the free-agent slugger to a two-year, $16 million deal.

The Cubs  —  With all the support and encouragement I got to buy the team, I think its appropriate to share the decision making process behind what happened and why.  Buying the Cubs was a unique opportunity to own one of the most storied franchises in sports.

Sources: Tribe interested in Pavano  —  The Cleveland Indians have emerged as a strong candidate to sign free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, several baseball sources told ESPN.com.  —  Pavano, 32, is looking to rehabilitate his career after suffering numerous injuries in four seasons with the Yankees.

Sources: A's, Giambi on verge of one-year deal  —  The Oakland Athletics and free agent DH Jason Giambi are on the verge of agreeing on a one-year deal with an option for 2010, Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  The deal would pay Giambi, who started his major league career in Oakland …

Old guard squeezed in new market … The baseball actuarial tables have been rewritten.  As clubs continue to place greater value on young players under control (witness the new religion about not losing compensatory draft picks), the older free agent is being severely devalued.

Chad Cordero To Audition This Week  —  By Tim Dierkes [January 6 at 8:38am CST]  —  According to a baseball source, free agent reliever Chad Cordero is ahead of schedule and teams will watch him throw this week.  The Nationals had said he wouldn't be able to throw until June due to last summer's labrum/biceps surgery.

Ex-Cub Lee Smith doesn't understand lack of Hall love  —  Retired Cubs closer fuming over lack of Hall of Fame votes  —  Jim Murray, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist, once referred to Lee Smith as the active player most likely to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Marquis could be a hit; Redding remains in mix  —  A confluence of factors led the Rockies to acquiring Jason Marquis, a transaction that will become official tomorrow.  He's a winner, having gone to the playoffs every season of his career.  He's a competitor, posting a 2.51 ERA in his Coors Field cameos.