In Case You Had Any Doubt, MLB Doesn't Care About You At All  —  We are not against corporations, inherently; we spend most of our days enjoying products of the Coca-Cola Company and the Philip Morris Corporation, and if they do an excellent job mass-producing consumables that we keep on buying, hey, that's the American way.

Lawrence signs with Rockies  —  Former Padres pitcher agrees to one-year contract  —  DENVER (AP) — Right-hander Brian Lawrence, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies that guarantees him $750,000.

Schuerholz tops list of general managers  —  This winter's round of signings and trades are, for the most part, over and done with.  So the time for assessment has arrived.  —  It's not hard to find opinions on how each team's general manager has fared throughout the most recent Hot Stove season …

Dodgers, Rudy Seanez agree to terms  —  Right-hander Rudy Seanez and the Dodgers have agreed to a minor league contract that could pay the veteran relief pitcher $1.2 million if he meets performance incentives.  —  Seanez, a 15-year veteran who split last season with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres …

Twins' mastermind has enviable track record  —  On June 11, the Minnesota Twins were off.  Francisco Liriano had blanked Baltimore the day before, and the Boston Red Sox, as fearsome as any team in the majors at that time, were due the next day for a three-game series.

Mailbag: What's going on with Gibbons?  —  Orioles reporter Fordin answers fans' questions  —  What are the team's long-term plans for Jay Gibbons?  I have always appreciated his bat and defense as well as his ability to fight through injuries.  —  Baltimore signed Gibbons …

Twins sign RHP Ortiz for $3.1M  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Right-hander Ramon Ortiz and the Minnesota Twins agreed Monday to a $3.1 million, one-year contract.  —  Ortiz went 11-16 with a 5.57 ERA with 64 walks and 104 strikeouts in 190 2-3 innings over 33 starts last season for the Washington Nationals.

Michael Morrissey Interview … WasWatching.com: Your book, The Pride and the Pressure: A Season Inside the New York Yankee Fishbowl, is slated for release on April 10th of this year.  What can you tell us about the book now and what was the driving force behind your decision to write it?

The Good, the Bad, and the Cheap: The Cost Efficiency of 162 Starts  —  In today's game, teams break Spring Training camp with 162 games ahead of them and plan for a five-man rotation to cover all the starts in those games.  Of course, teams know there will be injuries, trades …

Mailbag: Will Clement, Beckett rebound?  —  Red Sox beat reporter Ian Browne answers fans' questions  —  Where is Matt Clement?  How is he progressing from his right shoulder surgery?  Should we have any expectations?  —  Clement, from what I can gather, is at his Pennsylvania home rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Mailbag: Who will fill the 'pen?  —  Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions … Will Frank Francisco be back in the bullpen this year?  — Jim S., Birmingham, Ala.  —  The Rangers will have some serious competition in the bullpen this spring.

Question #1  —  The Pittsburgh Pirates recently experienced a shift in power amongst its ownership group.  What changes does Bob Nutting, the new face of the team, have to make in order to field a competitive ballclub in Pittsburgh?  Should Pirate fans anticipate the emergence of a successful team in the near future?

Wrong about Ripken  —  CHICAGO // It was my wife who wanted to name our son for a baseball player.  —  When he was born 11 years ago, the prospect made me cringe.  I thought a child's name ought to have more significance than mere affection for a guy whose contribution to society was hitting a baseball.

Cubs hike prices for individual games  —  When the Cubs announced in November that ticket prices would be frozen for season ticket-holders, it was termed a "reward" to fans.  —  Interim team President John McDonough said at the time, "As of now, we don't anticipate raising single-game tickets, but the decision has not been finalized."

Coming out soon in Taiwan  —  If you're a reader from Taiwan - and I know there are a few of you out there - here is some news you might find interesting:  —  There's a book coming out on Chien-Ming Wang.  —  Sam Borden, Mark Feinsand and I wrote "Ace in America" and it's due out in March or April in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Mailbag: How is a pitcher's role defined?  —  Mets beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions  —  As a UK-based baseball and Mets fan since 1980, I understand a little about baseball and I'm getting very good with the abbreviations.  But I have a simple question: Why are some pitchers starters, relievers, setup men or closers?

Inside Dish: Teams not biting on Upton  —  The Devil Rays have been willing to talk about trading top hitting prospects OF Delmon Young and IF B.J. Upton all winter, but the player teams are more wary of might surprise you.  It's not Young, who was suspended for 50 games last summer …

Utley and Phillies agree to $85 million, 7-year contract  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chase Utley is quite comfortable with long-term deals.  —  One day after getting married, Utley agreed Sunday to an $85 million, seven-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, who can keep three-fourths …