Sources: Abreu, Angels discussing 1-year deal  —  Free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu is in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.  —  Abreu, 34, is one of the premier hitters left on the market this offseason.

Tejada Charged With Lying to Investigators  —  Former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada was charged today with lying to congressional investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.  —  Federal prosecutors accused Tejada of making misrepresentations …

METS SIGN VALENTIN TO MINOR LEAGUE DEAL  —  The Mets have thrown another player into the mix to be a potential backup or alternative to Luis Castillo by signing Jose Valentin to a minor league contract, the Post has learned.  —  Valentin would make $800,000 if he played in the majors.

Ex-union boss Miller blasts baseball ‘witch hunt’ … As baseball union leaders Donald Fehr and Gene Orza face a torrent of criticism for their handling of events leading up to Alex Rodriguez's steroid admission, Players Association founder Marvin Miller defended the union's conduct and accused …

GIRARDI: YANKEES WILL RALLY AROUND ALEX  —  TELLS WFAN: 'YOU DON'T STOP BEING HIS TEAMMATE'  —  Joe Girardi got in line with the rest of the Yankees organization today and pledged his support to steroid-tainted Alex Rodriguez.  —  “I think we will rally around him.

Dodgers add Milton to pitching mix  —  Left-hander signs Minor League deal to compete for spot  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, seemingly collecting veteran pitchers on the eve of Spring Training, signed Eric Milton to a Minor League contract Tuesday to join the competition for the fifth starter spot or the bullpen.

Looper deal has mutual option  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  The one-year deal the Brewers struck with free agent right-hander Braden Looper yesterday has a mutual option for 2010.  —  I don't know the salary figure for that year yet but I heard this is the way it works …

Rays beat catcher Navarro in arbitration  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays saved $400,000 in winning their arbitration case against Dioner Navarro and, more importantly, didn't appear to lose any good will with their All-Star catcher.  —  “Navi wants to thank the Rays organization for making …

Youkilis on A-Rod, offense  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — While the media contingent is no longer at those picnic benches at the player development complex — mostly since we were (nicely) kicked off the property after Kevin Youkilis spoke — we're here to bring you the latest from the third-place finisher in the American League MVP vote.

Royals sign pitcher Jamey Wright to a Minor League contract with spring invitation  —  Hudson Removed from Major League Camp  —  The Kansas City Royals today have signed right-handed pitcher Jamey Wright to a minor league contract for the 2009 season.  Wright has been invited …

Wang is ready to get going  —  How about some baseball?  —  When I walked into the complex this morning, the first two guys I saw were Chien-Ming Wang and Phil Hughes.  —  The Wanger looked good.  He got to Arizona in mid January and worked out for several weeks with a trainer before coming here.

Notes from Newman: Fryer, Cox, Duncan and others  —  Got a call back this morning from Yankees vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman.  He was able to give me a few tidbits about how the organization is leaning regarding certain players, but ultimately our conversation centered …

Torre hopes gay ballplayers would feel free to go public  —  It went mostly unnoticed in the rapid transition of Bronx-dominated headlines from “The Yankee Years” to Alex Rodriguez and steroids, but Joe Torre made some helpful comments in his interview with CNN's Larry King regarding gay baseball players.

The Carpenter Watch: Waiting to Exhale  —  JUPITER, FLA — Chris Carpenter takes the mound Wednesday for the first time since a nerve disorder shut down his 2008 season and a non-related issue required November nerve transposition near his right elbow.  —  “I don't know if there's any special significance,” Carpenter said.

Appeals court to decide fate of MLB's doping list  —  Read full story for latest details.

Beimel waits out uneasy market  —  Dodgers reach out, but left-hander isn't getting hopes up for deal  —  LOS ANGELES — Baseball's version of rising unemployment includes Joe Beimel, whose strategy for finding work has been reduced to waiting patiently.  —  He's a job seeker coming off …