Wren, Cox meet with Lowe at Turner Field  —  Chipper calls free-agent pitcher with sales pitch; Mets, Phillies also interested  —  Braves officials met Thursday with free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe at Turner Field, with the shock of John Smoltz's exit reverberating in Atlanta and an increased sense of urgency in the air.

Mark Kotsay set to re-sign  —  After adding one role player yesterday by signing outfielder Rocco Baldelli to a one-year, $500,000 deal with incentives, the Red Sox [team stats] are poised to add another soon.  —  Mark Kotsay, whom the Sox obtained from Atlanta last August …

Pirates, Yankees talk Swisher, Nady  —  The Pirates have had trade talks with the New York Yankees regarding outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady, one high-level source said today, but there is little cause to expect a deal involving either coming to Pittsburgh.

Cubs put their trust in Bradley  —  $30M outfielder insists troubles are thing of past  —  After two months of courting and waiting and making the finances work, the Cubs finally introduced Milton Bradley as their new right fielder Thursday.  —  And depending on which side of the optimism fence …

Nats Draw Line With Dunn, Hudson  —  Though the Washington Nationals' pursuit of its top free agent targets — Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson — has not been called off, the team is discouraged about its chances of signing either, one well-placed source said yesterday.

Pettitte return to Houston highly unlikely  —  Despite report of lefty's interest, Astros remain firm on payroll  —  HOUSTON — The last time Andy Pettitte was unhappy with the Yankees, he phoned “home” — home being the Astros — and struck a tidy three-year deal that lasted from 2004 until '06.

Voter: I made a mistake not voting for Rickey Henderson  —  It remains to be seen how close Rickey Henderson comes to being the first unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the one sportswriter who publicly disclosed that he didn't vote for Henderson already has admitted he made a mistake.

Jim Rice ‘Restless’ but not about Hall  —  Say this about Jim Rice: He was never much of a politician as a player and he has never been much of a politician as an ex-player.  —  This is why those members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, who each year are entrusted with determining …

Hoffman has far-reaching impact  —  Closer addition offers McClung, Villanueva more defined roles  —  MILWAUKEE — With one big move, the Brewers might have strengthened both their bullpen and their starting rotation.  —  Assuming that all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman passes his physical …

Brewers and Potawatomi Bingo Casino form presenting sponsor partnership  —  First presenting sponsorship for a Major League sports franchise in Wisconsin history  —  MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers and Potawatomi Bingo Casino today announced a multiyear partnership in which Potawatomi Bingo Casino …

Pinch hitting: High and Tight  —  January is traditionally a slow month for baseball news.  So for the second year in a row, we will showcase other blogs with a series of pinch hitters.  —  Next up is Mike from High and Tight.  —  Mike says he has been blogging for five years.