Mauer catches a long-term deal  —  Four years, $33 million cements future with hometown team  —  There was one thing that catcher Joe Mauer couldn't wait to tell Twins general manager Terry Ryan when he talked to him on Sunday morning — that he couldn't be more excited to be behind the plate …

O's planted real spring optimism in offseason  —  It's hard to believe that the 2007 baseball season is almost upon us.  Seems like only a week or so ago, I was in Florida watching the Super Bowl, but that's probably just because time seems to pass faster as you get older.

Covering new battleground  —  Hurdle assessing the jobs up for grabs  —  The Rockies begin reporting to spring training this week with a possible remake of half their Opening Day lineup from a year ago.  —  Kaz Matsui already has taken over at second base.

Marlins Wonder if Star's Smile Can Muster Support for New Stadium  —  The first question posed to David P. Samson, the president of the Florida Marlins, at the annual mixer with the team's players and fans at Dolphin Stadium was as predictable in these parts as a summer rain shower.

Napoli eats up new diet  —  Catcher drops weight, adds muscle and hopes to avoid power drought in second half of last season.  —  Mike Napoli's second-half fade at the plate carried into the off-season, but the result wasn't a lengthy winter-ball slump.  The Angels catcher shed 15 pounds …

Hurdle is still in it to win it  —  In his fifth full season, manager knows what's at stake with Rockies  —  The Rockies have reached a point where expectations are developing.  —  They are supposed to win this year.  Maybe not win the division, but win more games than they lose and at least be a factor in the National League West.

Notes: Traber out to get back on track  —  Left-hander working on mechanics to win starting role  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Billy Traber is one of 12 pitchers who are looking to join John Patterson in the starting rotation, and Traber knows he has a lot to prove to manager Manny Acta.

Gonzalez' big break: Marlins job means leaving buddies behind  —  MARIETTA, Ga. — Deep in the heart of Braves country, a tape-measure homer from Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, "The Bagel Boys" are plotting against one of their own.  —  They've loved Fredi Gonzalez …

Trouble brewing for Dice: Pitchman's beer ad catches flak  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka has yet to throw his first pitch for the Red Sox [team stats], but his beer-chugging sales pitch intended only for Japanese TV audiences is raising eyebrows and some concern half a world away.  —  Daisuke ad:

Deep Breath as Pitchers Rethink Routines  —  A dozen of the best pitching prospects in baseball lay side by side in the dark, their eyes closed, their mouths shut, their minds open.  —  They pulled their sweatshirt hoods over their faces.  They let their feet dangle over their yoga mats.

Interview - Charley Steiner - Broadcasting  —  There's something about Charley Steiner that makes you smile and puts you at ease.  —  Maybe it's that the jovial attitude that seems to cross the airwaves when you see or hear him.  Maybe it's the fact that Charley was always happy to make fun …

Braves re-sign RHP Villareal, avoiding arbitration  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Pitcher Oscar Villareal agreed to a $925,000, one-year contract Sunday with Braves, who settled with their only player still in arbitration.  —  The right-hander could make another $100,000 in bonuses based on how many games he starts and finishes.