Around the Majors

	Mike Piazza found new life with the Padres last season, belting 22 home runs. Brad Mangin/SI

• Regarding the availability of Beltre and/or Sexson, GM Bavasi said, he'd have to be "overwhelmed, and that's overwhelmed with a capital O."

• Oakland appears to be a strong favorite to land Mike Piazza.

•  The Cubs, seeking pitching, were said to be still looking at Ted Lilly, who's expected to sign somewhere for four years and close to $40 million. The Blue Jays and Giants also are believed interested.

•  Jacque Jones is available. The Cubs' Plan A is to sign Julio Lugo to play center field, which would allow Alfonso Soriano to stay in left field and help take some pressure off him. However, the Mets, Red Sox and others are in the bidding.

•  The Rockies have for the moment given up their quest for embattled starter Carl Pavano, but some think the Yankees might more seriously consider a trade in spring training if Pavano can prove he's healthy enough to pitch. Colorado is believed to have wanted the Yankees to pay well more than half the $20 million remaining on his regrettable contract.

•  The Diamondbacks might have a good chance to sign Mark Mulder, but they're trying to ascertain how long he's expected to be out. Some have said another 9-12 months, but he's told them he thinks he can make it back sooner than that.

•  The Giants must have wanted Dave Roberts pretty bad to have spent $18 million over three years on the player who had never had the required number of plate appearances to qualify for a batting title until 2006.

•  After that, Scott Posednik's $2.9-million, one-year contract with the White Sox looks like a steal. Someone should ask what GM Ken Williams' trick is to get so many players signed to under-market deals.

•  The three Mets most asked about are Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber and Aaron Heilman. And some now think Humber may turn out to be almost as good as Pelfrey, their crown jewel.

• Lastings Milledge is ticketed for another year of seasoning at Triple-A. Unless of course, he's traded.