Jeter mood swing  —  Looks to forget past with jump on spring  —  TAMPA - Even on a European vacation last fall, Derek Jeter couldn't get away from the Yankees' postseason loss to Detroit.  —  A few days after the upstart Tigers put away the Yanks, cementing another disappointing October in the Bronx …

Source: A's agree to 1-year deal with Stewart  —  The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Shannon Stewart for a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $2.5 million with incentives, pending a physical, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has learned.

Harold Reynolds's Big Hit  —  Fired announcer's $5 million contract surfaces in ESPN lawsuit  —  While not much has been happening with Harold Reynolds's breach of contract lawsuit against ESPN, the announcer's lawyer has just filed an amended complaint that includes a copy of the former baseball star's contract.

Vinny Castilla Retires  —  He had a TERRIFIC FIRST NIGHT.  THE VERY FIRST OFFICIAL MAJOR LEAGUE GAME IN WASHINGTON, DC—In over 34 years.  The Date was April 14, 2005.  RFK Stadium the site.  Arizona Diamonbacks, the opponet.  Vinny Castilla's home run that night off Javier Vasquez began …

At 37, Juan Gonzalez is still searching for one more shot at the major leagues  —  CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — In his heyday he was known as Juan Gone, a fearsome slugger who could make baseballs disappear and runners score with uncommon frequency.  Now for stateside fans the play on Juan Gonzalez's name is more like: Where has Juan Gone?

Beane's still on board with A's  —  Billy Beane is checking in from his office without walls.  He has a message for A's fans.  Like it or not, you're stuck with him.  —  "I'm in it for the long haul," Beane said Wednesday.  "I knew what I wanted to do from the first time I set foot on a diamond as a player.

Pirates, Castillo avoid arbitration  —  Opening-day payroll projects to $43 million  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates avoided any arbitration hearings this offseason by agreeing last night to a one-year contract with second baseman Jose Castillo.

Professional Gains, Personal Addition  —  Brian Schneider has a list of concerns as he prepares to head north from his home in West Palm Beach, Fla., to Viera, where spring training begins next week.  The Washington Nationals catcher wants to have a more consistent offensive season …

DINNER WITH DUBYA  —  WRIGHT: PRESIDENTIAL PERK 'TOPS THEM ALL'  —  DAVID Wright knows he is living the dream, but nothing off the field can compare with this past Monday night when Wright was quietly invited to the White House to have dinner with President Bush.

White Sox shortstop Uribe delayed for spring training … Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe will be in a Dominican court Feb. 21, the same day his teammates will arrive in Arizona for spring training.  —  On Wednesday, the court set a hearing for that date for the defense team's …

Rangers' Teixeira takes a few cuts  —  GRAPEVINE - Of all the topics Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira discussed with fans at a Q&A session, the only one he didn't seem comfortable addressing was the time his teammates made him dress up like a Hooters waitress.

The Best Pitchers of All Time  —  I've spent the last three weeks listing and discussing the best major league everyday players since 1900 using a special version of Bill James' Win Shares called Win Shares Above Bench.  Today, I'm going to talk about the best pitchers since 1900.

Rays seem ready to dump Devil … TAMPA - When the Devil Rays unveil new logos, colors and uniforms for the 2008 season, they likely still will be known by their old name.  —  Or at least their old last name.  —  After considering a complete change of identity to mark the end of their first decade …

A-ROD TROUBLES ARE OPEN BOOK  —  WON'T SAY IF HE'LL OPT OUT OF DEAL  —  What A-Mess.  Call it Alex in Blunderland.  —  Alex Rodriguez's appearance at a signing for his children's book was mishandled by his publicist and bookstore staff members, turning the ballyhooed event into a media circus …