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.

O's bring back utility infielder Gomez  —  Veteran agrees to minor league deal, gets invite to spring training  —  The Orioles have agreed to a minor league deal with utility infielder Chris Gomez, bringing the veteran back to the organization after a year's absence.

Archrivals lead hunt for Manny … Well known for bold free-agent signings and boosted by a solid financial situation, the San Francisco Giants look like a major threat to steal superstar free agent slugger Manny Ramirez away from the archrival Dodgers.  —  While the Dodgers …

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 …

Bloomquist will compete with Callaspo  —  Royals give former Mariners infielder/outfielder two-year deal  —  KANSAS CITY — The Royals and infielder Willie Bloomquist have reached an agreement on a two-year contract, MLB.com learned on Friday.  —  Bloomquist is expected to compete …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Team USA extends invitation to Hawpe  —  Rockies outfielder mulling offer to play in World Baseball Classic  —  DENVER — Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe has been invited to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and is mulling whether to commit to the tournament.

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 …