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 …

MLB would like to cream Bonds, not clear him  —  Many wish Bonds would just disappear from baseball  —  The truth, quite simply, is that nobody really wants him.  Not his bosses.  Not his teammates.  And certainly not the powers entrusted with the care of our national pastime.

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 …

Nationals preseason preview  —  With new ballpark opening in '08, Washington looks into the future  —  Yes, there still is a major league baseball team that plays in Washington DC.  —  Sure, no one outside the nation's capital save for the assorted fantasy geeks can name more than a handful of its players.

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.

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.

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.

METS LEFTY OUT FOR 3 MONTHS  —  Dave Williams could require three months of rehab before he is able to pitch for the Mets, his agent said yesterday.  —  The left-hander had surgery last Wednesday for a herniated disc in his neck, and yesterday his agent, David Pepe, said the understanding based …

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

Rethinking the 2006 Rookie Class — NL  —  The rookie class of 2006 was so ridiculously packed with talent that they should have given out two ROY awards for each league.  Florida's Hanley Ramirez, the leader of the Marlins' kiddie brigade, ended up with the NL trophy while Detroit's Justin Verlander took home the AL honors.

PECOTA Takes on First Base Prospects  —  It's not a good day to be writing.  Sunday was the Super Bowl, and while I managed to avoid a serious hangover, our spirit is down in Chi-town, and so is the temperature, which at last glance was lower than Rex Grossman's passer rating.

Expect a tight race in NL East  —  With Pedro's absence, Mets vulnerable against confident Phils  —  The National League East hasn't had many tight races in recent years.  Over the last five seasons, the division champs have won by an average spread of 10 1/2 games, with only one race decided by single digits.