Deep Bullpen Answer To Issues In Rotation  —  Mets general manager Omar Minaya has proved he'll spare no expense to help the Mets get to the World Series.  And if not for Yadier Molina's two-run homer off reliever Aaron Heilman in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the NLCS at Shea Stadium …

Mauer Through 2010  —  We're sadly still destined for two straight years of hearing and reading about how Johan Santana may leave Minnesota at some point, but for a while at least we've been spared from similarly premature talk about Joe Mauer's possible departure.

Marlins upset Cabrera skipped caravan stops  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Less than a week before they take him to arbitration, the Marlins delivered an early salvo at their most productive player, All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera.  —  In front of hundreds of fans and season-ticket holders during the weekend …

MIT Sloan Sports Business Conference Recap  —  This weekend I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Sports Business Conference in Cambridge, Mass. This year's conference focused on the role of analytics in sports management, although, like many business school events …

Rotation  —  Optimists point to the Brewers' starting rotation and note that Ben Sheets has the stuff to become one of the game's elite, Chris Capuano is an All-Star-caliber lefty, Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas each won 12 games last year, and Jeff Suppan was the MVP of the NLCS.

Will anyone win 20 games in 2007?  —  Santana, Oswalt, Wang lead list of potential big winners  —  Something happened last season that had never happened in a full Major League season — neither league had a 20-game winner.  —  There have been a few seasons without 20-game winners …

Age takes away Boss of old  —  Twilight time for George  —  The plan, at least, calls for us to see less of George Steinbrenner this spring training.  No more daily check-ins about the Yankees' latest Grapefruit League setback, or Joe Torre's future, or Alex Rodriguez's state of mind.

Harang gets $36.5 million, 4-year deal from Reds  —  CINCINNATI (AP) - Right-hander Aaron Harang avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $36.5 million, four-year contract Tuesday that made him the Cincinnati Reds' highest-paid pitcher.  —  Harang emerged as one of the NL's top starters …

It's time for pitchers and catchers  —  Detroit pitchers will try to get those infield throws down, Dice-K will make the transition to American-style baseball and Barry Zito will start justifying the $126 million that's become attached to his name.  —  That's right: It's time for pitchers and catchers.

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.

First, Gossage to enter San Diego Hall of Champions  —  Goose Gossage is going into a hall of fame Tuesday night.  —  Just not the Hall of Fame.  —  Gossage, former Chargers defensive end Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and former Padres President Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi will be inducted …