BASEBALL Dodgers' GM is young, aggressive

At 31, Paul DePodesta is the third-youngest person to be hired as a big-league GM.
COMBINED DISPATCHES
LOS ANGELES -- New Dodgers owner Frank McCourt settled on a general manager -- and just in time for the start of spring training.
McCourt's first move since the close of his $430 million purchase of the Dodgers from News Corp. was the hiring of Paul DePodesta, considered one of baseball's top young executives, on Monday.
Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday to the Dodgers' spring training headquarters in Vero Beach, Fla.
"My mission is to be on a relentless quest for baseball knowledge," DePodesta said at a news conference. "I know that will lead us in a positive direction. What I'm committed to is finding a way to win. I've been given a mandate by Frank and also the resources to be as aggressive as we possibly can."
At 31, DePodesta is the third-youngest person to be hired as a big-league general manager. Theo Epstein was hired by the Boston Red Sox at age 28 in 2002, and Randy Smith was 29 when the San Diego Padres hired him in 1993.
DePodesta, an assistant to Oakland GM Billy Beane since 1998, succeeds Dan Evans, who had one year remaining on a three-year contract.
"We needed to make a change, we needed a fresh start," McCourt said.
Twins
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota avoided arbitration with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz by agreeing Monday to a $7 million, two-year contract.
Mientkiewicz will make $2.8 million this season and $3.75 million in 2005. Minnesota has a $3.75 million option for 2006 with a $450,000 buyout.
Cubs
MESA, Ariz. -- General manager Jim Hendry is cautiously optimistic Greg Maddux's long-awaited decision will turn out in the Cubs' favor.
Spring training opens Wednesday; the speculation is Maddux would just as soon avoid the media circus by waiting until the first day of camp to make his announcement.
But only Maddux and agent Scott Boras know his timetable, and Hendry reported no progress Monday in the ongoing negotiations.
Japan
TOKYO -- Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Hector Carrasco has signed an $800,000, one-year contract with the Kintetsu Buffaloes.
The 34-year-old Carrasco joined the team Saturday, the Osaka-based Buffaloes said Monday on their Web site. He gets a $200,000 signing bonus and $600,000 base salary.
Carrasco, from the Dominican Republic, was 2-6 with a 4.93 ERA and one save last season for the Orioles. He's 30-42 with a 4.52 ERA and 16 saves in nine seasons in the major leagues with Cincinnati, Kansas City, Boston, Minnesota and Baltimore.