Bowden Carries Out Familiar Plan  —  Stan Kasten, the incoming president of the Washington Nationals, said yesterday that General Manager Jim Bowden carried out a plan consistent with the vision of Kasten and his bosses, led by new owner Theodore N. Lerner, during last week's draft.

Rangers close to deal with top pick  —  Left-hander expected to receive $1.6 million signing bonus  —  ARLINGTON - If a physical exam this afternoon shows no health issues, the Rangers could announce the signing of first-round pick left-hander Kasey Kiker before today's game.

Minaya's many marvels  —  Major-league baseball isn't a place where you normally hear much trash talking.  You just don't.  The game is too humbling.  Slumps are too mystical and confounding.  A bad bounce, the sun in some outfielder's eyes, one lousy night when the wind is blowing balls out can cost you a pennant.

Sox' young pitchers get plugged in  —  Of the seemingly deep starting staff that arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., back in February, this startling fact remains: It's only mid June, and already the Red Sox have had to put in more than a few calls to the minors.  With one of those original seven …

Floyd ready to return and accept competition  —  Cliff Floyd jokingly suggested last week that given Lastings Milledge's success in left field, the Mets might ask him to go on the disabled list to stay out of the way.  And that was before the Mets exploded for 37 runs in a four-game sweep of Arizona.

Olivo a solid hit batting or blocking plate  —  · Manager Joe Girardi figured Mike Cameron absorbed the greater impact from Sunday's home-plate collision with catcher Miguel Olivo.  —  Though Cameron knocked him well out of the batter's box, Olivo insisted he didn't feel a thing.

Send down Jered Weaver?  Send in the clowns  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - It seems so ridiculous, so strangely unprecedented, that at first you don't think you're hearing it right.  —  Come on, the Angels aren't really about to send Jered Weaver, the best young pitcher they have had in years, back down to the minor leagues, are they?

Cubs aren't for sale, Banks told  —  Ernie Banks, with his first public comments Monday, clarified his role in initiating talks to broker a purchase of the Cubs.  —  "Certain people seek me out," the Hall of Fame Cubs legend said from his home in Marina Del Rey, Calif.

Beane could get asking price for Zito  —  The A's position on left-hander Barry Zito is unchanged; they will trade him if they get the right offer, no matter where they are in the standings.  —  Of course, if A's general manager Billy Beane defines "the right offer" as the equivalent …

2,000 Is Becoming Popular Number for the Yankees  —  Bernie Williams's next appearance, most likely Tuesday night against Cleveland, will be his 2,000th.  He has played his entire career with the Yankees.  —  There are many magic numbers in baseball, but 2,000 is not really one of them.

Fire Torre!  (Just Kidding)  —  You have to pity poor Andy Phillips.  He was playing every day and hitting the tar out of the ball in Detroit and Baltimore.  I remember remarking to a colleague in Baltimore, "Wait till he goes 0-for-10.  Joe can't wait to get him out of the lineup."

Since talent is watered down, don't blame juice  —  At some point, right about the time the war on drugs morphed into a war on baseball, a hole in logic grew to such Ruthian proportions that it's come to obscure rational thought.  Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased history.  Barry Bonds chased immortality.

Pirates must come to terms with Casey on an extension  —  What should the Pittsburgh Pirates do with Sean Casey?  —  That will be one of the more difficult decisions General Manager Dave Littlefield will have to make.  —  Word has it that Pirates ownership has given Littlefield the go-ahead …

Duffy to rejoin Pirates' fold  —  Outfielder reporting to Bradenton today  —  Today, Chris Duffy will begin his journey back into baseball.  —  The Pirates' opening-day center fielder will travel from his home in Glendale, Ariz., to report to the team's extended spring training program in Bradenton …

Another Option For St. Louis  —  My Mets source has sent an update regarding the recent Victor Diaz information.  Seems the Cards just weren't offering enough in Mark Worrell for Diaz.  Diaz remains widely available, and could be used to acquire a decent second baseman like Mark Grudzielanek.

Mailbag: What's the plan for prospects?  —  Beat writer Mark Feinsand answers Yankees fans' questions … Exactly what are the plans for Eric Duncan?  He would be playing Major League ball with any other team, and it is a shame not to promote him.  But with A-Rod at third base, he seems destined for the Minor Leagues.

Tigers' Young a no-show in court  —  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Tigers designated hitter Dmitri Young and his attorney did not appear at a scheduled court hearing Tuesday, leading a perturbed judge to require that the lawyer provide documentation of the player's whereabouts by the end of the day.