Zambrano says he'll walk if Cubs don't sign him  —  Carlos Zambrano has issued an ultimatum to the Chicago Cubs — sign me now, or say goodbye when the 2007 season is over.  —  "Whatever happens, I don't want to know [anything] about a contract during the season.

'Bernie should be here'  —  Rivera blasts Yankees for treatment of Williams  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Bernie Williams isn't in Yankees camp.  But whether he comes or not, it's obvious he's going to be an issue.  —  Mariano Rivera, the great Yankees closer who'd previously expressed dismay …

Villone signs with Yankees  —  Veteran left-hander agrees to minor-league deal  —  Ron Villone has agreed to a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees.  —  He stands to make $2.5 million if he makes the club, which is likely, and an additional $300,000 in incentives based on games pitched.

O's quest to contend began in offseason … Most baseball pundits had graded the Orioles' offseason long before learning that starting pitcher Kris Benson would likely have rotator cuff surgery, leaving an already unproven rotation without one of its most reliable arms.

Clubs improve to 4-0 in arbitration hearings  —  PHOENIX — Baseball teams improved to 4-0 in salary arbitration Tuesday when the Washington Nationals beat pitcher John Patterson and the Florida Marlins defeated reliever Kevin Gregg.  —  Patterson was awarded $850,000 by arbitrators Elliott Shriftman …

Devil Rays acquire Ryu from Cubs  —  Outfielder Lopez, right-hander Reinhard traded to Chicago  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Devil Rays expanded the ranks of their starting pitching hopefuls Tuesday through a trade with the Cubs for right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu.  —  In exchange for Ryu …

Brewers preseason preview  —  Key additions, healed injuries will make Milwaukee dangerous  —  In the wide open world of the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans should have every reason to believe that their team is capable of staying in contention for the long haul.

Hatin' on Shawn Green  —  It's amazing how quickly — and with such finality — New York fans can get down on a particular player.  —  In a town that boos the greatest baseball player on the planet (perhaps of all time), even after winning the AL MVP, it shouldn't be surprising …

From Pearl Lagoon to the Back Bay … The Nicaraguan pitcher with a Jamaican inflection and British surname sat in his airy Toronto five-star hotel room this past September, took a deep breath and looked down at his dark, flexed forearms.  —  "A Pearl Lagoon boy is here," Red Sox pitcher Devern Hansack said.

Burning questions: NL East  —  As you may have noticed, we're in the midst of running down the Top 10 Burning Questions for each of MLB's six divisions.  We've already leveled our steely gaze on the AL East, and now we're culminating our East Coast bias by looking at the National League — wait for it — East.

For Martínez and Sánchez, It's Good and Getting Better All the Time  —  One is celebrated for dashing through sprinklers and revitalizing a franchise.  The other is best recognized by his goggles.  —  One is not expected to throw from a mound for a few months.

Winners and losers for baseball's off-season  —  Spring training is the time for teams to assess their fancy new ensembles.  Some clubs will relish their fresh looks.  Others quickly will grow wary of what they see.  —  Practically all of the money is spent now, well past $1 billion all told.

Phils players work out in Clearwater  —  Utley, Rowand report to Spring Training ahead of schedule  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies clubhouse at Bright House Networks experienced regular traffic Tuesday, despite the fact that no one was required to be there.

Angels to rely on pitching over power  —  Stoneman wasn't willing to deplete a solid pitching staff to add a power hitter to the lineup.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Bill Stoneman didn't exactly lash out at critics who have howled for two years about his inability to acquire a big bat …

Tall expectations for Hirsh  —  6-foot-8 Jason Hirsh aims to win over fans, corral big awards  —  Jason Hirsh knows the concerns of Rockies fans.  —  And he wants to assure them they can relax.  —  He knows Jason Jennings is with the Houston Astros.  —  But the Rockies did OK in that deal …