Mailbag: Mets achieving greatness?  —  Beat writer Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  I heard you interviewed on the radio two weeks ago and you didn't seem convinced the Mets were a great team.  Now that they have put together a 6-1 road trip against the best teams in the National League West, have you changed your tune?

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.

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.

These Sox a nicer brand — Less to fret about than '05 version  —  With the Red Sox, there's always a reason to cheer or a reason to worry.  And doing both at the same time is expected.  —  The 2006 Sox have offered their followers plenty of reasons to develop personality disorders …

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.

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 …

Kent Back; Billingsley May Debut Thursday  —  Ned Colletti, Kim Ng and Grady Little met for more than an hour Monday at Dodger Stadium, discussing roster moves and trade possibilities, but the only concrete decision was to activate second baseman Jeff Kent from the disabled list in time for today's game against the San Diego Padres.

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 …

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.

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.

Gillick shares blame for rotation misfortunes  —  From the winter hot stove, to in-season deals that were missed, Phillies GM Pat Gillick hasn't done enough to address the unraveling starting rotation.  —  Pat Gillick and the Phillies were outdone by Omar Minaya and the Mets in how they temporarily fixed the bottom of their rotation.

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.

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.

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?