NFL

MLB

NBA

	The Mark Mulder sweepstakes are down to three teams. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Agent Gregg Clifton said Thursday that the Indians, Texas and St. Louis are the three finalists in the bidding for injured left-hander Mark Mulder. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Although the Rangers remain interested in Mark Mulder, it appears he is their only remaining free-agent target. The Rangers have discussed veterans such as Tomo Ohka and John Thomson, but GM Jon Daniels said the club probably will pick an internal candidate for their rotation. -- Dallas Morning News

Sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Randy Johnson back to the desert before next week. The Yankees would like to get at least two of the following three Diamondbacks pitchers: Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf. -- New York Daily News

Barry Zito's agent, Scott Boras, told Mets' GM Omar Minaya last Friday there was a team that would pay the pitcher $18 million per year for seven years and if the Mets wanted to compete for the lefty, they would have to offer more than five years. -- New York Daily News

The Rangers had offered Barry Zito a six-year contract for $84 million with a vesting option that would have made a package worth $99 million over seven years. If there really was a second team in the $126 million range, it was likely the Mariners. -- New York Post

The Giants needed someone to replace Barry Bonds as the franchise's go-to guy, and Barry Zito was the chosen one. The Giants like his durability and willingness to be a staff leader, and it doesn't hurt that they swiped an ace from the rival A's, whose biggest offseason announcement was their plan to leave Oakland for Fremont. -- San Francisco Chronicle

The Padres are believed to be offering reliever Scott Linebrink for Randy Johnson, but the Yankees apparently prefer the players they might be able to pry from the Diamondbacks. -- New York Daily News

The Padres are not inclined to trade Jake Peavy. If the Marlins' Dontrelle Willis is made available, it would be a safe bet that Mets GM Omar Minaya would pursue him. -- New York Times

The Mets have interest in Jeff Weaver, even though they are wary of his negative Yankees experience. Omar Minaya will explore trade possibilities, and pitchers such as Brad Penny of the Dodgers, Joe Blanton and Rich Harden of the A's and Javier Vazquez and Jon Garland of the White Sox might be available. -- Newsday

Colorado has attended all of free-agent pitcher Brian Lawrence's workouts, including a private session viewed by assistant general manager Bill Geivett and special assistant Marcel Lachemann. Chuck Berry, catcher Javy Lopez's agent, said he's had multiple discussions with the Rockies, and his client is not 'afraid to compete for a job. -- Denver Post

NFL

MLB

NBA