Escaping Bronx after '07 a possibility for A-Rod … It's the summer of 2013, and Alex Rodriguez is finally getting the love and acceptance he craves.  As he basks in the praise for his 715th career home run and takes aim at Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds, he's embracing the role of beloved elder statesman.

Harang gets four-year, $36.5M deal from Reds  —  CINCINNATI — Right-hander Aaron Harang agreed to a four-year, $36.5 million deal Tuesday, making him the Cincinnati Reds' highest-paid pitcher.  —  The 28-year-old Harang emerged as one of the NL's top starters last season despite pitching …

In for a penny ...  Bonds tells Giants he plans to play well into his 40s  —  Bud Selig's worst recurring nightmare is entering its fourth season: a man with connections to a federal steroid investigation, who faces the possibility of indictment, is the face of baseball and is on the cusp …

Papelbon not medically cleared to close games  —  BOSTON — Terry Francona doesn't expect Jonathan Papelbon to move back into the bullpen, even though it would make the Boston manager's life easier.  —  "If I had my druthers, he would be our closer," Francona said Tuesday …

Marlins optimistic on ballpark deal  —  Team president expects announcement by October  —  HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) — Nearly three years have passed since the Florida Marlins' self-imposed deadlines for securing a new ballpark agreement all came and went without the completion of a deal.

Tavarez pitches Dominican Republic to victory  —  CAROLINA, Puerto Rico - Julian Tavarez pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning and the unbeaten Dominican Republic eliminated defending champion Venezuela from title contention in the Caribbean Series with a 7-1 win Monday.

Lew Burdette dead at 80  —  Ex-Braves right-hander went 3-0 in '57 World Series  —  WINTER GARDEN, Fla. (AP) — Lew Burdette, MVP of the 1957 World Series when he pitched the Milwaukee Braves to their only championship, died Tuesday.  He was 80.  —  Burdette had been ill for an extended period with lung cancer.

Rangers, Chen agree to minor league deal  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Left-hander Bruce Chen agreed to a minor league contract Tuesday with the Texas Rangers and will go to spring training with the chance to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.  —  Chen was -7 with a 6.93 ERA in 12 starts …

What Does the Future Hold for Jake Peavy?  —  The honest answer is that we have no clue whatsoever, but that's boring and doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know.  So instead we gather available information and make educated guesses.  —  Why We Use Comparables: Justification and Limitations

Bill Cowher Surprisingly Cool When You Accost Him On The Beach With A Video Camera  —  Via Sports By Brooks, here's a video apparently shot in February 2000 from an incredibly rude (but amusingly inquisitive) fan who ran into Bill Cowher and his wife on an undisclosed tropical locale.

Mays agrees to minor league contract with Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joe Mays, a 17-game winner for the Minnesota Twins in 2001, agreed to a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday and will attend spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Post-ed!  —  I was having an IM conversation with MissChatter last week about the changing relationship of blogs and the mainstream media when - **DING** - an email appeared in my inbox.  It was from the Washington Post's Barry Svrluga, who wanted to interview me for a story he was writing on Nationals blogs.